MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12571, 5 August 1901, Page 6

MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

The members of the newly-formed Richmond Young Men's Club gave a very successful " social " on Wednesday ' evening; in the Methodist Schoolroom. Over forty members, with their friends, assembled. In the course of a short address, the Rev J. W. Burton, who presided, outlined the object of the club, which was the physical, mental and ethical culture of its members. Mr J. A. Elesher described the club-room which it is proposed to erect in brick, at a total cost of about £l5O. Already a considerable part of this sum has been subscribed. The weekly meeting of the Lyttelton Literary and Debating Society was held on Friday evening. Mr W. Shanaghan presided,' and there was a ve) T la ' r g e at " tendance. A paper, sent by Mr George Laurenson, M.H.R., giving a resume of the report of the Federation Commission, and advancing reasons in support of the finding of that Commission, was read by Miss E.°Coote. After a brief discussion, votes of thanks to Mr Laurenson ..and Miss Coote were passed. Corn-petitions in reading and spiling followed, and the prize in both was gained by Miss Wood. Miss Stinsou was recommended for a second prize in reading. i A meeting of the Greendale Mutual Improvement Society was held on Friday evening. The President of the Society, Mr J. H. Wilson, occupied the chair, and the meeting took the form of a mock election for the House of Representatives. The fortnightly meeting of the Ivy of Linwood Lodge, U.A.0.D., was held on Monday evening, V.A. Bro Macready in the chair. Bro T. Smith waa appointed delegate to the United. Friendly Societies' Benevolent Association. The Ledge went into harmony for a short space. Refreshments were provided by Bros Manson and Phillips, after which it was announced that there would be a special programme next lodge-night. Thei fortnightly meeting of the committee of the Progressive Liberal Association was held on July 29. Mr M'Na'b, M.H.R., wrote instancing 'the-.recent .Christchurch by-election as showing "how thousands, of voters go to the poll, and, although. recording their votes, do not influence the result either way—hence the necessity for the Absolute Majority Bill. Mr Ell, M.H.R., wrote stating that member after member of the House had informed him that the questions of the initiative and the Elective Executive were not even mentioned at their . meetings during the, last general election. The Lands Committee presented a report which,it was decided to'submit for publication, and also tohaveit printed and circulated throughout/ 'tthc . colony. The Bills Committee reported, favourably on the Mortgages of 'Land- Bill (Major Steward), the Statutes,Compilation Bill (Major Steward), and in the Fair Rent Bill suggested that the Board should consist of a stipendiary magistrate, as chairman-,, and four members, two of whom should represent country interests and two town and city interests ; and l that in clause 1 5- the proviso allowing counsel to appear should bo struck out. The report was adoptetd.