MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11929, 28 June 1899, Page 6

MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

There was an excellent attendance at the fortnightly meeting of the Rangiora Literary and. Debating Society on Monday. In the absence of the President, Mr T. W. Ambrose, vice-president, took the chair. Papers ■were read as follows :—Mrs J, 0. Josling, on “Reading”; Mr G., S. Bartrum, on “ Happiness ’"; Mr 0. Gillespie, on “ Music,” and Mr T. W, ’ Ambrose, on “ French Suspicion.” An intei'esting lecturette on “ Light ” was also given by Mr T. R. Cresswell, M.A- - Most of the subjects were critically discussed. “ Electricity in Modern Life” null form the subject of the next meeting. .• There was a fair attendance at the Bud of Hope Lodge of Druids, Rangiora, on Monday, evening. An invitation to pay a fraternal visit to the Trafalgar Lodge, Kaiapoi, was accepted, and,.the arrangements for the annual “sccmlf’ were furthered. At the Lily of the Vf Uey Juvenile Lodge there was-an attendance of eighteen, and officers ■were-elected—Bro P. Evans, A.D. ; Bro E. M m Are, Y.A. ; and Bro E. Miles, minute secretary.' ; ’-:r . :

The half-yearly summoned meeting of the Loyal Amberiey Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U.,. was held on Monday. There was' a goodattendance, amongst those present being Bro G. M. Gillespie, Bro C. S. Jennings, P.P.G.M. Marshall, District hook inspector, H. 6. Bro C. W. Bell, and nine members of the Rangiora Lodge. A considerable amount of routine business was done, and the principal officers were elected as follows: —Bro A. Wcmall, N.G. ; Bro 0. H.' Turner, V.G. ; Bro J. 0. Anstis, E.S. ; Bro H. Brizley, G-M. and lecture master. It was resolved to place the name of the retir ng G.M., Bio A, Woods, on the merit hoard, and to present'him with a certificate. P.P.G.M. Wornall gave the third sentiment of the evening, which was responded to by the District officers and visiting brothers. An hour -wasi spent in harmony, and before the visitors left they were entertained at supper. •

The quarterly summoned meeting of the Loyal Sister Pearce Lodge of Oddfellow was held on Thursday. The .election of officers for the ensuing'term resulted as follows: —G.M., A. Butler; N.G.Y.G., M. Bean: V.G., M, Pearce; B.S. and L.S. to N.G. P.G., C. Fraser and-A. Napier; E.S. and L.S. to V.G.. F. Grasswell and E. Puttick; warden, M. Burrows ; guardian, A. Clarke. Accounts amounting to £22 10s 8d were passed for paymept; A meeting of the committee of the Kaiapoi Institute was held on Monday, Mr Meadowcroft being in the chair. The balance-sheet showed a credit of over £4. The following officers were elected : —President, Mr Meadowcroft; secretary, Mr E. Revel!; treasurer, Mr M. Lynskey ; librarian, Mr A. T. Clark; a committee was elected, and it' was'decided' to keen the library ippen, till ; -9;30 - p,-m.- •on • ordinary evenings and to 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday. Mr J. Harold Evans resigned the position he had held for ten years, and a vote of thanks was passed to him. ’

About 125 years ago a murder was supdosed to have been committed in an ancient hostelry at Hartford, and the' body mysteriously disappeared. The premises arc now in the; hands of workmen, and a ■slcelc-' ton, supposed to have been that of the vie-’ tim, was dug up 3fb belo#. the .flooring. A secret staircase was also discovered,