MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12533, 21 June 1901, Page 6

MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

The annual,meeting of subscribers to tho Rangiora Literary -Institute was held on Tuesday evening. The attendance was small. MrE. R. Good, president, occupied the-chair. The annual balance-sheet showed receipts £l7O 7s 4d, expenditure £212 19s (including £iJ6 Is 6d spent on the ; buildings), leaving a debit balance of £42 lis Bd. The librarian (Mr G. Prestney) reported that the circulation of books had been larger than in any previous year. The number of volumes that 'had passed out was 5443, including 5157 works of fiction, and the magazines had reached a circulation of 1598. The favourite authors were Annie Swan, Boothby, Mrs Henry Wood, Curtis Yorke, Max Pernberton, Le Queux and Marie Corelli. Votes of thanks were passed to the Librarian, the Borough Council for the annual grant of £2O, to the President, secretary (Mr Jennings) and auditor (Mr J. B. Wilson). Last year's committee and officers were re-elec-ted, and the Chairman, Secretary, Dr Cook I and Messrs T. Keir and J. 0. Josling wera I appointed a Book-buying Committee. It was decided to hold the annual meetings in future on the second Tuesday in February, Last year's illustrated papers and magazines were .then soCd by auction by Mr A. P. Tutton, and Tealised £3 6s. The half-yearly meeting of the- Loyal Kaiapoi Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was held on Tuesday, the N.G., Bro J. H. H. Keetley, in the chair. The following ofiioers were elected:—G.M., Bro J. H. H. Keetley; N.G., Bro A. M'Greger; V.G., Bro J. W. Horsfall; E.S., Bro S. Goldthorp; auditors, P.P.G.M. Bro A. T. Clark and P.G. Bro C, H. Bentley. P.P.G.M. Bro R. M. Wright presented a handsomely-framed, enlarged portrait of himself to the Lodge, and was heartily tbanksd for his valuable present. The Lodge decided to take part in the march past on the occasion of the Royal visit. At the usual meeting of the Durham Street Literary Society last Monday evening," the debate was on the question: "Is England's power in danger of declining?" "Mr Curletit led the afflmative, while Mr Burley upheld the negative. A most enthusiastic discussion and on. the vote there was a small majority on the negative side. The Rev Baumber presided. The fortnightly meeting of the Woolston Young People's Guild was held ,on Monday evening. There was a large attendance of membsrs and friends. The Rev J. F. Jones presided; The evening was devoted to music, and a good programme was submitted.