MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9083, 18 June 1888, Page 9

MEETINGS.

AUCKLAND CO-OPERATIVE BUILD-

ING AND INVESTMENT SOCIETY. The sixteenth annual meeting of the Auckland Permanent Co-operative Building and Investment Society was held on the 12th June in the lecture-hall of the Young Men's Christian Association building. The chair was taken by Mr. J. H. Upton, on the motion of Mr. J. Potter, seconded by Mr. F. G. Ewington, in the absence of the president, Colonel Haultain, who was detained at home by illness, and the vice-president, Mr. T. Thompson, M.H.R., who is at Wellington. The Chairman opened the proceedings by expressing his sympathy with the president, and then called upon the secretary, Mr. John Batger, to read the advertisement calling the meeting, and the minutes of the last annual meeting, a special meeting, and a lapsed half-yearly meeting, which were confirmed. REPORT. The report, which was taken as read, was as follows : — The committee have to report the addition of very little new business during the past year. The loans applied for have amounted to a large sum, but the amount the committee have felt justified in lending is less than has been lent in any year since 1872. It is with pleasure the committee can state, however, that tho engagements of members generally have been kept with great regularity, and cases of default have not been numerous. When shareholders have found it impossible to keep up their repayments and have applied to the committee for relief, arrangements satisfactory to them have been made in every case in which this could be done without lessening the Society's security. Cash: The cash receipts from all sources during the year (excluding £10,000 withdrawn from fixed deposit at the bank) were £101,991 18s 4d. The disbursements wore £104,555 0s Id. Deposits : The committee have been obliged to decline receiving further sums of money on deposit, and they have reduced the rate of interest at which they accept re-deposits of money already lodged with them to the lowest rate at which money can now be obtained. Profit and loss : The gross earnings for the year are £5807 7s lOd ; expenses (including amount written off office improvements), £1C27 19s ; leaving net profit, £4179 8s lOd. From this investing shareholders receive interest at the rate of 8 per cent, per annum, and a sum of £022 18s Oil is added to the provisions made for anticipated losses. The balance admits of a bonus of £1 per cent, per annum, which is accordingly credited to the accounts of both investing and borrowing members. Securities : These have been carefully examined, and in many cases re-valued. The committee believe that any deficiency is fully provided for in the amount (£1384 15s id) which will stand at credit of " Properties in Liquidation Suspense Account" when the closing entries are made. Office Improvements : The committee have taken a lease of the premises, 147 Queen-street, for ten years, from Ist of April, 1887, and have effected needful alterations and improvements at a very moderate cost, which, being spread over the period of the lease, will be equal to a slightly increased weekly rental. The landlord contributed £125 towards the expense. Shares: 2241H now shares have been issued. On 31st March the shares on the register were as follows 0293 investors' shares, producing £314 13s per week ; 3837 borrowers'shares, producing £290 13s SJd per week ; 10,130 shares, producing £005 0s BJd per week. Committee : Mr. H. W. Heath being about to leave the colony for a time, resigned his seat on the committee, and Mr. W. 11. Skinner was appointed in his stead. All the members of the committee now retire from office, but are eligible for re-election, and have all been nominated for office in the ensuing year, and there are no other candidates. (Signed.) T. M. Haultain, President; John Batumi, Secretary. RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS I'OR YEAR ENDING MARCH 31ST, 1888. Receipts.—Fees—Entrance fees on 2249} shares, £112*9s 6<i; transfer fees, £19; survey fees, £55 2s ; refunds on account of insurance premiums, valuers' expenses, etc., £251 10s Bd. Amount re-

< ceived, £10'! 10s lOd; pass books and rules sold, £8 I 14s 6d. Subscriptions on 6293 investors, £15,421 6s Od ; repayment on 8837 borrowed, £18,584 j lis 7d; repayments on redeemed and surrendered, i £9635 14s lOd. Interim Accounts—Received on ac- ! count of borrowers* accounts temporarily suspended 1 from weekly payments, £932 7» lid. Properties in 1 liquidation—Received on account of sales effected, | rents collected, etc., £1313 4s Id. Deposits- ' Amount received, repayable at seven days notice, i £16,797 as 3d ; repayable at fixed periods, £43,414 , lis 7d. Office Improvement— Lessors' proportion of 1 costs of alterations, etc., £125. fixed Deposits- • Deposits with Rank of New Zealand, withdrawn, . £10,000; interest on same, £137 10s. SundriesCommissions, discounts, etc., £26 16s lOd. Balance— . bank and on hand, 31sl .March, 18SS, £7070. 12s Bd. ; Total, £110,002 lis. | Disbursements. — Temporary Investments — i Amount deposited with Dank of New Zealand at ; interest, £10,000. fees —Insurance premiums, fees I and costs paid on account of borrowers, £747 Os 3d. , Deposits—Repayments to depositors, £07,749 fls 3d. i Interest—Paid depositors, £1,778 16s; on bank j overdraft, £12 l&s 2d. Office Improvement— Paid on j account of alterations and improvements, £23012s Id. i Shares—Matured shares paid otf, £14,931 5s 2d ; P withdrawn before maturity, £9,007 2s Id. Loans — Cash paid to borrower* and secured on mortgage, I £7,775. Properties in Liquidation—Ground rent, I rates, balances of purchase moneys, insurances, &c, £550 Sis 4(1. Outstanding Liabilities—Paid ! accounts outstanding on 31st March, 1887, £31618s id. I Miscellaneous— agencies, office rent, j fees, printing, advertising, &c., £1,400 12s lid. j Balance—ln Bank and on hand at date, £4,507 10s Sd. Total, £119,002 lis.

PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT. Dr.—April 1, 18S7 : Bonus at the rate of £3 per cent, per annum on 5939 investors' shares, £1258 10s r«l ; bonus at the rate of £3 per cent, per annum on 49254 borrowed shares, £265 Ss tod ; transfer to properties in liquidation Suspense Account, £200 is (Id —£1813 us Oil. March 81, 1888: General Expenses Account, £1011 IDs ; proportion of expenses written off office improvement, £10 ; balance, £4179 Ss lOd— £5807 7s lOd. Appropriation—Amount transferred to credit of investors, being interest at the rate of £8 per cent, per annum, £3152 Os 5d ; amount available for bonus, £1027 2s 5d : total, £1179 8s Kid. Ck.— April 1, 1887 : Balance from 1880-7, £1813 Os Oil. March 31,18S8: Entrance fees, £108 ISs ; transfer fees, £19 ; tines, £780 16s Sd ; interest, 64898 13s •id : total. £5807 7s lOd. Balance, £1179 Ss Hid. PROPERTIES IN LIQUIDATION SUSPENSE ACCOUNT. Pis. — March 31, 18SS: Ascertained losses to date, £347 ltis 9d; balance, £701 16s 7d : total, £1109 13s Id. (Jr.—April 1, 18-37 : Balance, £785 -Is Id ; amount transferred from Profit and Loss Account, Ac, to meet anticipated losses in realising securities, £321 9s 3d : total, £110913s id. March 31, ISSS : Balance, £701 His 7d. BALANCE-SHEET, SIST MARCH, ISSB. I>K.—Liabilities: Shares—duo investing members, as per ledger balances, £49,895 IDs 5d ; deposits- amount lodged at interest, £24,395 3s Id; interest due on deposit, £030 0s Oct; borrowersloans on mortgage, unpaid balances, £1270; prepayments by borrowers, £147 2s lid; accounts payable—sundry, liabilities unpaid to date, £999 5s sil; properties in liquidation—suspense account, £701 10s 7d; profit and loss account, £41795510 d; less interest passed to credit of investing members at S per cent, per annum, £3152 0s 5,1: total, £79,132 Os 4d. CR.—Assets : Securities—present value of loans on mortgage, £67,405 9s 3d ; present value of loans on shares, £458 8s 9d ; borrowers' repayments due, but unpaid, £1427 3s 9d ; office—present value of improvements, £145 12s Id; safes, furniture, stationery, etc., £S4 10s Til; cash—in Bank of New /.(aland, at fixed deposit, £5000; interest accrued, £13 Us 3d ; at bank and on hand, £4507 IDs 8d; total, £79,132 lis Id. The Chairman*, in moving " that the report and accounts, as read, including the schedule of properties required by the Building Societies Act, It-'SO, Amendment Act, 1887, be received and adopted," said that as he was - only an ad interim chairman, lie had no speech prepared, and would not detain them with one. At the same time they as shareholders could not, after rending the report, help being glad that the Society showed so satisfactory a state of affairs as that set forth in the report and balance-sheet. The loans had been considerably reduced during the year. They had been only some £9000, as against £30,000 or £40,000 in ordinary years, but the committee were to be commended for lessening the advances in view of the depression. During the history of the Society there had only been one year, excepting the first year, when loans were so low, viz., in 1572, when they were £ 1 100. The committee had doubtless felt the insecurity of making advances at a time like this, when, whether they were borrowers or lenders, all knew how difficult it was to make a correct estimate of the value of properties. The only wise course at such a time was a conservative one, and this course was the one the committee had adopted, as had been shown by their reducing the amount of loans from £30,000 to £9000. They could not help thinking how unfortunate a thing it was that such a course should be necessary; but bad times had come upon the community, and they had to thank the committee for guarding the shareholders' interests by not letting the money out too freely. Mr. F. G. Ewikgtox seconded the motion without any remarks, and it was put and carried.

The Chairman moved, and Mr. H. N. Garland seconded, " That it be an instruction to the new committee to deal with all the properties that have fallen or may during the ensuing year fall into the Society's hands by default of the mortgagors in such manner as the committee in their discretion may think best for the Society's interests." The motion was put and carried without discussion. OFFICERS. The officers for the ensuing year were then elected as follows : — President, Hon. T. M. Haultain ; vice-president, Mr. Thus. Thompson, M.H.R. ; treasurer, Mr. Joseph Potter; committee, Messrs. W. S. Cochrane, F. G. Ewington. H. N. Garland, G. Harper, C. Hesketh, W. Lodder, W. H. Skinner, S. Vickers, and I. Watts ; auditors, Messrs. L. A. Durrieu and W. Gorrie. The business was concluded by a vote of thanks to the chairman, proposed by Mr. W. Thorn'e and seconded by Mr. W. H. Skinj^er. YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the Young Men's Christian Association was held on the 11th June at the Rooms, corner of Wellesley and Albert streets. Sir William Fox presided, and there was a largo attendance. A hymn, " How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds," having been sung, the Rev. B. L. Thomas offered prayer. Tho Chairman referred to the objects of the Young Men's Christian Association, tho members of which helped the Church, since their duty was to catch men, and bring l them within the reach of Christian inI fluences. Much of the work of the Association could not of itself be regarded as of an evangelical character. They had, for instance, gymnastic exercises in the building, and this was not within the s*cope of their duty as Christians, but if by this means they could bring souls within the reach of Gospel influences, the object of these exercises was a good one. The club-room, and the book-keeping, elocution, and shorthand classes in like manner had no special religious value, though they were of considerable benefit from a temporal point of view. The library of the institution, on the other hand, was a most powerful adjunct of Christian work, as it was only by the reading of books that one could obtain a perfect knowledge of Christianity and the history of the Church. Some valuable theological works upon difficult points of doctrine were also contained in the library. But what he wished to speak of in refer-

ence to this branch of the institution was the out-of-all-proportion profusion in which he found works of fiction — novels, a species of books which was in itself weakening and effeminating to tho human mind. (Applause.) He did not speak of historical novels, but of the abominable "yellowbacks,"—books seen in the hands of every young lady in a railway carriage, but which were not tit for the shelves of a Christian Association, and the sooner they were swept away tho better. (Applause.) Sir William Fox referred to the previous year's programme, and said that he was of opinion that the lectures' had usurped the place of some work which might have been more edifying. Some of the lectures were of a merely political character, such as the subject of "Freetrade," and the committee must have the want of money in their minds' eye when they included these in the programme. Sir Wm, Fox exhorted his hearers to read the book, "God's Dealings With George Muller. " (Applause.) Mr. Trios. Budw.e, replying to the remarks of Sir Wm. Fox, said that the book to which the chairman had referred was to be found in the library. He did not think there was such a large proportion of the yellow-back" books there as Sir Wm. Fox claimed, though ho (Mr. Buddie) was sorry that they were read more than any other. Whilst the work of the Association had been increasing, the wherewithal to do the work had not been increasing in proportion. The whole of the assets of the society were valued at £10,000, but the Association owed £6500, and part of the money was bearing interest at 5 per cent, and 6 per cent. They had hoped to have cleared off £1500 at the end of the past year, but this hope had not been realised. The committee did not see why skating rinks and other amusements should have plentiful patronage; in depressed times, associations such as theirs always suffered, and this was not as it should be. Pastor Mci.i.kr pointed out that the national and spiritual well-being of a nation

depended greatly upon the way in which young men were brought up, and it therefore behoved the people to lend a helping hand to Young Men's Christian Associations, especially where 'she officers were godly men. Young men were continually coming to the colonics, and to lend them a helping hand was a matter of great importance. Because they were away from their friends and relatives, young men were apt to lose themselves in vice and wickedness, and therefore it was of the utmost importance that youths so situated should be introduced to the offipers of the Young Men's Christian Association. They should endeavour to influence those in other countries to give them letters of introduction to the officers of the society, bo that when a young man came he might find a Christian heart welcoming him, and giving him spiritual and temporal support. Many a young man coming to these colonies found himself in pernicious places shortly after arrival here, and a great deal depended upon how young men were received here ; this was the reason why it was so important that truly godly men should bo at the head of the Association.

Addresses were also delivered by Pastor Spurgeon and the Rev. A. Carrick. Mr. Hemery played the accompaniments to the hymns. AUCKLAND INSTITUTE. The first meeting of the present session of the Auckland Institute was held at the Museum Buildings, Princes-street, on the 4th June. Thcro was a largo attendance, including a number of ladies. DONATIONS. Mr. T. F. Cheeseman announced that the following donations had been made to the Library and Museum : —Official Cassette of the United States Patent Office, volumes 42 and 43 ; Reports of the United States Entomological Commission, the United States Government, per J. T. Campbell, Esq., United States Consul ; Journal of the Linneun Society, New South Wales, volume 2, new series, the Society; Annual Report of the Geological Survey of Canada, Macann's Catalogue of Canadian Plants, the Geological Survey, Canada; Mineral Products of New South Wales, the Colonial Secretary, Sydney ; Statistics of Tasmania for ISB6, the Chief Secretary, Hobart; Fairburn's Ships of Tarshish, J. F. Leighton ; Early Proclamation of Governor Hobson, W. Steele; stull'ed golden pheasant, Mr. Edson ; skin of mollyhawk, D. Bate; crested penguin and land-shells from Capo Maria Van Diemen, Captain Faircliild ; eggs of weka, Mr. Holliugsworth ; eggs of stormy petrel, Mr. Sandagar ; specimen of helix busbii, T. L. White ; coral or pearl oyster, A. Bonar ; largo longicorn beetle from Fiji, J. Falknor; cuttle-fish, Mr. O'Brien; models of nuggets, D. L. Murdoch ; mineral from Tc Aroha and Collingwood, D. Kowe; large canoe from Bougainville Straits, Solomon Islands, Captain Fernandez; dress of Nubian woman, G. Brayshaw.

president's address.

Mr. S. Percy Smith, President-elect, delivered the inaugural address, and departing from the usual custom of summarising the work of the Institute, he pointed out brunches of ethnological study to which sutlicient attention had not been given in the past by the members. One of the objects of the society was " the aiding in the collection of materials for the history and better understanding of the Maori race, and the allied races of the South Pacific," and from the relative positions of the European and Maori population, it might naturally have been expected that this subject should take the lead of all others and that the preservation from oblivion of all that could bo ascertained regarding the Maoris and their history would have been a distinguishing feature of the Transactions of the Institute, but it had not been so; and ho apprehended that in subsequent ages this branch of the Institute would be blamed for neglecting a duty it had the opportunity of performing, in not saving from oblivion the history of a race which we are rapidly supplanting, and whose extinction within a few generations from now seems certain. Mr. Smith pointed out that very much of the historical matter required for this purpose was recorded in the doings of the Native Lands Court, though in its present form it was not suitable for a general history, and further information might be acquired from the people themselves. Mr. John White's book, "The Ancient History of the Maoris," and the volumes by Sir George Grey on "Ancient Poetry of the New Zealanders," and " Polynesian Mythology and Maori Legends " were referred to as of great value. There was another branch of this subject which had not had the attention paid to it that it deserved—this was the question as to whether the Maori was the first inhabitant of this country or not. Beside tho Maori and Polynesian people, the Papuan race which inhabited tho Western Pacific deserved attention, whilst another largo field was open for the exercise of archaeological research in the remains of Cyclopean architecture scattered over many of the Pacific Islands. The President alluded to the necessity for a reference library, and in passing referred to tho works now deposited in the Cape Town library referring to the Maori language. These valuable books would, in his opinion, be very much more esteemed in this country than at the Cape, and it was a matter which the society might fairly consider whether Sir George Grey should not be addressed with a view to obtaining his sanction to an application being made to the Capetown authorities on the subject of an exchange or purchase of tho works in question. Tho President's address was a most interesting one. Mr. Smith spoke for forty minutes, and resumed his scat amidst applause. Dr. E. Lec;er ERSON said he had listened with much pleasure to the valuable address of the President, and was pleased to find that the importance of noting the traditions of the Maori race was recognised. It was indeed sad that this race should be doomed to extinction. He had seen the American Indian, the Zulus, and other tribes, but lie had never met a savage race intellectually equal to the Maoris, nor (except the Zulus) physically equal to them. If it was important that the traditions of the Maoris should be recorded, was it not vastly more important that the race itself should be kept alive ? We had sent missionaries to teach the Gospel to the Maoris, and schoolmasters to educate them ; but no provision had been made to teach them the laws of health. It was well known that the Maoris did not observe the laws of sanitation, and that they overcrowded in whares, with far from sufficient breathing-space ; they adopted European clothing one day, and discarded it the next, and consequently phthisis was rife amongst them, and decimated them. He urged that if we could preserve this magnificent physical and intellectual race, it would redound to our credit for all time. Dr. Erson referred to the exhibits of native curios, etc., on a table near by, and adduced these as proof that the native peoples, were they to have the benefits of civilisation, would prove equal to the European races. Rev. A. G. Puucijas said that the subject which Dr. Erson had alluded to was by no means a new one, and it had occupied considerable attention in the past. Many and persistent efforts had been made to teach the natives the laws of health, but there were other causes for their decadence beside those to which reference had been made. It was a well-known fact that Europeans frequently neglected the laws of health, and it was therefore hardly to be expected that people emerging from barbarism would avoid this error.

The collection of curios already referred to attracted much attention, lb embraced canoe heads, arrows, hatchets, clubs, bowls, obsidian spears, tortoiseshell ornaments, &c., brought from the Admiralty Islands and the surrounding group ; and wo understand that the collection lias beon purchased for the Museum from Mr. Stuart, the explorer.

N.Z. MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, he third annual meeting of the New Zealand Medical Association concluded on the 26th May. The Association met on the 30th May, at four p.m., in the Y.M.C.A. rooms, Dr. Dawson (president of the local branch) occupying the chair, whilst Dr. Lindsay was secretary. A large number of members of the local branch were present, and the following Southern delegates attended the meeting : — Drs. Fell and T. W. Mackenzie (Wellington), Dr. Thomas (Christchurch), and Dr. De Zoucho (Dunedin). Thanks.—Dr. Dawson having delivered the presidential address, Dr. Do Zouche moved a vote of thanks to the President for his welcome to the delegates. The motion was seconded by Dr. Thomas, and agreed to. ' Delegates.—Delegates were appointed as follow: Dr. C. H. Haines, for Canterbury, to act with Dr. Thomas; Dr. Macmullen, Otago; Drs. Hooper and Stock well, Invercargill ; Drs. Walker and Roberton, Nelson.

A Protest. —A letter was read from Dr. Murray Moore, homoeopath practitioner, Auckland, protesting against his exclusion from the association. The letter was received.

The Certifying of Deaths.—The question of the non-certifiying of deaths in cases where no qualified practitioner had been in attendance, was discussed, and it was resolved, " That this association is of opinion that in all cases of death occurring without the attendance of a qualified medical practitioner, it shall be incumbent by law on the friends of the deceased, or on the occupier of the house, to report such cases to the coroner, to be dealt with in such manner as ho may deem expedient." Incorporation. — The incorporation of the association was not considered desirable. The consideration of the question of incorporating the association with the British Medical Association, was deferred until next meeting. The Next Meeting.—lt Mas decided that the next meeting of the association be held in Christchurch in the second week in March, ISS9. Vaccination. — Some discussion took place respecting the increase of the number of public vaccinators in any one district, "but it was explained that this matter was in the hands of the Government. It was agreed, That in the opinion of this association the Government should be asked to open up a station for the supply of vaccine lymph direct from the calf.' Poison. —The Association resolved, "That the Government be advised to have chlorodyno gazetted as a poison." Appointment of Editor.—The Otago branch of the association, who have established the New Zealand Medical Journal, wrote requesting the Auckland branch to appoint an editor in this city. The matter was referred to the local branch.

Sanitary Laws.—Dr. E. Legcr Erson read a paper on " The Sanitary Laws of New Zealand." Some discussion took place at the closo of the paper, and it was resolved, "That Dr. Erson bo asked to formulate his propositions, and that the matter be referred to the branches, to be reported on at next meeting of the association in Christ church."

Other Papers.—During the session other papers of purely medical interest were read by members.

BAY OF ISLANDS AGRICULTURAL

AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of this society was held in the Public Hall, Okaihau, on the 19th May, at two o'clock p.m., Mr. D. M. Anderson, president, in the chair. The clay being boisterous, there was not a large attendance. The following is the balance-sheet for the year ending April 30th, 1888 : —Receipts: Balance from last year, £0 3s 7d ; donations, £11 15s 6d ; special prizes, £3 '2s (id; members' tickets, £18 ss; admission to shows, £22 Gs ; entries, £29 7s; Glee Club concert, £8 4s lOd ; booth, £8 2s (3d ; paddock, £1 : total, £108 (is lid. Expenditure : Paid in prizes, £68 14s (id ; printing and advertising, £12 lis; rent of nail and paddock, £3 10s ; donation to secretary, £4 4s ; table fittings, &c, £4 4s 6d ; judges' expenses, £2 17s ; incidental expenses, £3 10s Bcl ; balance in hand, £8 15a 3d : total, £108 Gs lid. Examined and found correct. —W. H. Nicholson and L. T. Williams, auditors. The report and balance - sheet were adopted. The following officers were then elected : President, Mr. D. M. Anderson ; vicepresident, Mr. J. White; secretary, Mr. A. Nicholson ; treasurer, Mr. C. Wells; committee, Rev. P. Walsh, Messrs. H. Fraser, T. Quigley, J. Michie, J. Mackenzie, C. R. lolcrton, J. Nicholson, I). Mackenzie, J. Donaldson, W. H. Nicholson, L. T. Williams, T. S. Williams, and D. Eynon.

POLITICAL REFORM ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the Political Reform Association was held on the Bth of June, at their offices, Victoria Arcade. There was a fairly good attendance, and Mr. J. McLachlau presided.

The report of the Committee, a very lengthy document, was then read by Mr. Duncan. It was a report on the financial proposals of the Government, with special reference to the increase of taxation. They declared their opinion that the revenue estimated to be collected from the increased duties proposed was not likely to bo realised within a very considerable amount of that calculated on, whilst they would add seriously to the. burdens now borne by the people, and they protested, and objected that the Government should resort to the infliction of heavier sacrifices by the impoverished taxpayers of the colony until further and greater efforts were made to reduce the ruinous expenditure for carrying on the Government of a population of a trifle over 000, people. The committee considered the retrenchment by the Government stopped short of what the ncccessities of the country required, and trusted an agitation would be raised throughout New Zealand to bring the expenditure within the limits of ordinary revenue. It pointed out that since 1860 the population had. increased 7£ times, and the cost of administration, exclusive of the Departments of Education and Public Works (then nonexistent), had multiplied tenfold; and, accepting as an axiom that the cost of Government per head decreases as population increases, the expenses of the Departments now dealt with should be about £726,000, instead of £I,ol6,ooo—the financial charge in 1887. The committee had not exact details as to the proportion of the total sum of £2.'10,000 which was saved in the Departments of Education and Public Works. They, however, considered that there remains room for a further general saving of £15,000 hi all departments during the current year', and in view of this they regretted that tho Government should deem it necessary to increase the volume of taxation by so large an amount as £200,000. They regretted that the Financial Statement foreshadowed the granting of pensions to members of the Civil service, a principle which they condemned as vicious. .They contended that the reductions capable of being immediately effected in the administration of the colony, together amounting to not less than £200,000, are sought to be laid upon the taxpayers in lieu of a bureaucracy in a time of deep depression, and would further point out that the fiscal burdens now sought to imposed, as well as the property tax, are sources of revenue in which admittedly there is a natural tendency to shrinkage. It was a matter for regret that the Government found it necessary to retain the property tax. They regretted that Parliament did not consent to raise the school age and effect a saving of £25,000. and were of opinion that very great retrenchment could yet be effected in this department. They regretted that the Act of Parliament reducing the Governor's salary to £5000 had not yet become law. They also considered that a very great reduction could be made in the expense of administering railways, and instanced the success of Mr. Vaile's system on the Whangarci-Kamo line, where a reduction of 49 per cent, was effected,_ and 49 per cent, on administering their entire railway system would mean reducing taxation by no less a sum than £336,790. The report concluded as follows :—" Your committee regret that the necessities of the colony should still continue to be in part administered out of borrowed money. The time has arrived when a stop ought to be put to further borrowing, and we are convinced that the increased burdens cast upon the people by successive loans are far greater than the net results derived from the money borrowed. Not until the colony is thrown upon its own resources, and becomes independent of relying upon loans, can there be any hope of a sounder or more economical and better system of Government being inaugurated in New Zealand." After some discussion, the report was adopted.

j A special meeting of the Chamber of Comi merce was held on the 6th June to consider j the new tariff'. The discussion lasted until I nearly five o'clock, when a resolution of 1 adjournment was carried, on the ground ! that the meeting then was not sufficiently i representative to justify them in making any representations to the Government,

A meeting to arrange for the establishment of a Kindergarten and Creche in Freeman's Bay was held on Saturday, May 26, in the Ponsonby Hall. Mrs. Peacock was voted to the chair. The lion. secretary (Mrs. Lilly) explained to those present the working of the central Kindergarten at the old library buildings. Subscription lists were distributed, and the district divided into sections for canvassing. Much enthusiasm prevailed, the ladies present all concurring that this mode of assisting the poor was by fax- the best as yet adopted. Arrangements were made to procure a suitable building.