MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9027, 4 November 1892, Page 9

MEETINGS.

THE SOUTH BRITISH INSURANCE COMPANY. The annual meeting of the South British Fire and Marine Insurance Company was held in the company's offices, Queen-streeb, on tho 12th October. About forty shareholders were presenb, and the Chairman of Directors, Mr. J. H. Upton, presided. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report, which was taken as read, was as follows : — The Directors have pleasure in submitting to the shareholders the statement of accounts for the year ending 31st August, 1892. The Net Revenue for the year amounts to : £199,632 9 10 After making the usual provision for unearned premiums and losses outstanding, there is a surplus in the Revenue Account of £25,189 0 3 To which has to be added the balance from 1891 £11,430 12 3 £36,619 12 6 Which has been dealt with in the following manner :— Dividend ' paid in October, 1891 £3,231 8 0 Interim Dividend paid in April, 1892 3,231 8 0 Net Loss on Securities realised... 14 6 6 Written off Office Furniture ... 401 2 1 Sinking Fund, Auckland Leasehold ... to 0 0 Transferred to Reserve Fund .-20,000 0 0 g < , £9,666 7 11 The Directors now recommend the payment of a Dividend at the rate of 10% per annum for the half-year ending 31st August, which will absorb ... 3,231 8 0 Leaving, to be carried to tho New Account £6,434 19 11 The retiring Directors are Messrs. C. C. McMillan and J. Edson, who, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election. Messrs. J. Waymouth and J. F. Clarke, the retiring Auditors, offer themselves for reelection. BALANCE-SHEET. Dn. Revenue Account & a. d. To Fire and Marino Losses paid .. 128,063 5 11 To Amount reserved for Outstanding Losses •• 13,363 0 0 To Agents' Commissions, Salaries, and other expenses 38,710 2 11 To Advertising, Printing, and Stationcry .. .. .. •■ •• ** £,918 0 3 To Contributions to Underwriters' Associations and Fire Brigades .. 2,415 0 5 To Government Licenses and Rates and Taxes 2,709 5 10 To Amount required to Re-insure Current Risks on 31st August, 1592 58,859 19 7 To Balance Carried to Profit and Loss Account 25,188 0 3 £272,261 _1_ 2 CR. „ , £ 8. . By Reserve required to Reinsure Current Risks on 31st August, 1891 59,976 11 i By Reserve for Losses Outstanding on 31st August, 1891 12,055 0 ,0 By Fire and Marine Premiums (leas Reinsurances) 192,931 6 8 By Interest Due and Accrued .. .. 6,701 3 2 £272,264 1 2 Profit and Loss Account. Dr. s. d. £ 8. d. To Dividend paid October, IS9I 3,231 8 0 To Dividend paid April, 1892 .. 3,231 8 0 6,402 16 0 To Amount transferred to Reserve Fund 20,000 0 To Net Loss on Securities Realised . . 14 6 6 To Sinking Fund, Auckland Leasehold 75 0 0 To Amount written off Furniture at Offices 401 2 1 To Balance carried to Balance-sheet.. 9,066 7 11 _£30,619 12 6 C«. • £ s. d. By Balance from August. 1891.. .. 11,430 12 3 By Balance brought down from Revenue Account 25,189 0 3 £36,619 12 6 Balance-Sheet. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Authorised Capital— 100,000 Shares at £19 1,900,000 0 0 To Subscribed Capital— 64,628 Shares at £19 1,227,932 0 0 To Uncalled Capital— 64,628 Shares at £18 1,163,304 0 0 64,828 0 0 To Reserve Fund 30,000 0 0 To Re-insurance Reserve Fund .. 58,839 19 7 To Reserve for Outstanding Losses .. 13,363 0 0 To English and Continental Re-insurance Suspense Account . . .. 5,505 12 9 Less Losses and Liquidation Expenses during year .. ... .. 2,608 13 3 2,836 19 6 Less further Losses on San Francisco business (Liquidation now closed) .. 1,269 14 2 1,507 5 4 To Unpaid Dividend Account 1 10 0 To Creditors for Open Accounts 1,135 9 3 To Bills Payable .. .. 420 0 0 1,555 9 3 To Balance Profit and Loss Account _ .. 0,666 7 11 £179,671 18 1 Cr. £ s. d £ b. d. By Landed Properties and Loans on Mortgage 71,683 15 9 By Stocks, Debentures, and Government Bonds 14,698 0 4 By Fixed Deposits with Banks .. .. 57,170 0 0 By Cash in Banks and Bills of Exchange in Transitu 7,355 3 0 150,900 19 1 By Balances at Branches and Agencies 21,005 11 3 By Bills Receivable .. 1,600 6 2 By Debtors for Open Accounts 2,489 10 8 4,089 10 10 By Furniture at Offices ..... .. 3,609 10 11 £179,071 131 We have examined the above Balance-sheet and Accounts, and compared them with tho Books and Vouchers, and found them to be correct. We are of opinion the Balance-sheet is a full* and fair Balance-sheet, properly drawn up, so as to exhibit a true and correct view of the state of the Company's affairs. J. Waymouth, ) ,„...„„ J. FiiiAii-Clarke, /Auditors. Auckland, 24th September, 1892. CHAIRMAN'S address. The Chairman said : Gentlemen, theagreeable duty now devolves upon me of moving the adoption of tho report and balance-sheet in your hands. No lengthened remarks are needed when the general character of those documents is as satisfactory as on the present occasion. But it will perhaps be convenient if I remark shortly on a few points of intoresb. The form of the accounts, as you will see, differs somewhat from the form in which they have heretofore been presented. • Tho revenue and expenditure elements of the profit and loss account have been separated from the appropriation portion of that account, thus exhibiting the results of the year's operations more clearly than when embraced in one statement. The first point of interest to which you will probably turn is the premium income. This, you will observe, is about £2000 larger than that of the previous year, a circumstance we regard with much satisfaction, inasmuch as wo have thought it prudent in certain fields of operation to exercise the greatest vigilance in the selection of business. This was calculated, of course, to affect our income adversely, and to such a degree that we should have regarded an actual decrease of our whole income with complacency. Tho increase shown, therefore, is all the more satisfactory. On the other side of the account you will see that the amount of losses paid is considerably in excess of last year's payments. This is owing entirely to a series of serious losses on first-class risks in the marine section. The ratio of loss is 66'74 per cent. The other items of the revenue accounb represent the expenditure necessary to carry on business, and without referring particularly to them, I may say thab the ratio of expenses is 24'23 per cent, of our income, a ratio rather in excess of last year and owing mainly to compensation charges paid to one or two officials whom we felt ib necessary to part with, and the cosb of removal of others sent to take their places, and bo obher rearrangements. Tho balance carried from revenue to profib and loss is £25,189 0s 3d, and this, with the balance brought fori wrvrd, v«., £8199 4s 3d, being £11,430 12s

3d, less the half-year dividend, viz., £3231 Bs, authorised at our last meeting, leaves a sum of £33,388 4s 6d to be dealb with. In pursuance of the policy of strengthening the reserves, we have carried to the reserve fund £20,000. I need not expatiate on the importance of adhering to that policy. It is one the wisdom of which I am sure will commend itself to every reflecting shareholder. The small debit of £14 6s 6d may need some explanation to be fully understood by you. During the year we sold a property ab the Cape for £2500, being £500 above the estimated value in our books. Amongafc our investments were some Union Bank shares; the bank reduced its dividend, and, as we do nob consider shares in other companies altogether the best form of investment for our funds, we sold them ab a loss of £200. Further, we wrote oft the whole value of some shares in a building society in Queensland, now in liquidation, ab a loss of £308 odd the difference between these items and some small matters is the debit of £14 6s 6d. The £75, which appears in profit and loss account for the first time, will henceforth appear regularly, until the expiration of the lease of the property we stand in. It is a sinking fund payment sufficient to extinguish the value of the leasehold ab the expiration of the lease. Ten per cent., amounting to £401 2s 4d, has been written off office furniture account; this also will form an annual charge against profit and loss. The remaining balance is £9666 7s lid, and out of this we propose to pay a dividend ab the rate of 10 per cent, per annum for the last half-year; an interim dividend at that rate for the first half of last year having been paid in April last. Coming to the balance-sheet, the reserve .fund now stands at £30,000— very fair basis on which to build in the future. The re-insurance reserve is calculated on the basis we have adopted. The amounb is somewhat loss than was required to be reserved last year—a circumstance owing to the liability on current risks being less than |at that time. The reserve for outstanding losses, on the other hand, is rather larger than was necessary when we last met you. The amounb of £5505 12s 9d standing at credit of the English and Continental reinsurance account has boon reduced by payments to £2836 19s 6d. The end of this business is now in sight, and the utmost possible charge that can come against ib is about £1300, leaving a surplus of about £1500. In order to avoid bringing considerable items from those liquidation sources into our current accounts, we have f charged against this account a sum of : £1269 14s 2d, the amounb of losses paid during the year on the San Francisco liquidation, finally closing thab unfortunate business. Our assets, you will see, ; are in a very liquid form ; a good ; proportion being in bank deposits, which, : under existing circumstances, wo have \ thought ib best to hoi 1. The average i interest on our investments is about 4i per cent. We desire to acknowledge, with thanks, the services and helpful advice of the local boards, who assist our managers at distant points. The success of this or any other company must ever bo largely duo to the energy and intelligent zeal of the staff of officers. It is a pleasure to refer to the efficiency of our staffall are not, of courso, equally capable, zealous, or efficient, but I speak broadly when I say that we have every reason to be satisfied with them. Ab their head is our capable general manager, who has a firm grasp of, and maintains an effective control of the company's business wherever ib is carried on. It is our intention that Mr. Kirker shall, at an early date, proceed to India, and make a personal acquaintance with that important field. While so far on his way, we propose that he shall go on to London; and we expect the best results from the contact of his able mind with our business arrangements there and in the East. With these remarks, I have much pleasure in moving the adoption of the report and accounts, as now before you. Mr. Thomas Peacock seconded the motion.

Mr. J. W. jAMi:s*Baid he was very glad indeed that such a sbabemonb of accounts had been presented to the shareholders that day, the second statement, he might say, under tho new management. The accounts were in every way satisfactory, and they might well congratulate themselves on. the balance-sheet, which was not only gratifying to the shareholders, but must also bo to the directors, who had been mainly instrumental in effecting so great a change. He could say without fear of .contradiction that a change so drastic and complete had seldom if ever been so satisfactorily accomplished in the affairs of a financial company. They might well look forward with bright anticipations to the future, and he believed that success would crown the company's efforts. It was true that some time ago operations had been conducted on the downward sliding scale ; but companies, like firms and individuals, had to pay for their experience. This company had now gained their experience, and they wero now ascending at a far more rapid rate than that at which they had descended. He was glad the management was in such able hands, and had every confidence in the future. They had a general manager who was quick and ready to detect any weak spots, and directors who wero equal to applying the necessary remedies. The time might not bo far distant when they would enjoy increased prosperity, and when they would get larger dividends ; he hoped the day would soon come when they would get £1 on each share. To attain this end, ho urged shareholders to assist the company by bringing business to it, so that their brightest anticipations might be realised. The motion for the adoption of the report and balance-sheet was then pub and carried unanimously. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Messrs. C. C. McMillan and J. Edson were re-elected to the directorate unopposed, on the motions of Mr. James and Captain Daldy, seconded by Messrs. R. Keesing and Mr. James. On the motions of Messrs. D. Goldie and James, seconded by Messrs. J. Raynes and P. A. Edmiston, Messrs. John Waymouth and J. Friar Clarke were re-appointed auditors. The remuneration of the auditors was fixed at £50, as formerly. COMPLIMENTARY. Mr. T. Allen moved a very hearty and cordial vote of thanks to the chairman, tho directors, and the officers of the company. Captain Daley said he had much pleasure in seconding the motion. The motion was pub and carried unanimously. The Chairman and the General Manager (Mr. James Kirker) returned thanks. extraordinary MEETING. After the business of the annual meeting had concluded, an extraordinary general meeting to consider certain proposed alterations to the Articles of Association, of which due public notice had been given, was held. After discussion the alterations were adopted. An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders in the South British Insurance Company was held on Oct. 28, the chairman of directors, Mr. C. C. McMillan, presiding. The resolutions passed at the annual general meeting making certain alterations in the Articles of Association were confirmed. By the amendments in question only one witness is now required to proxy signatures. Tho possession of six hundred -shares is a necessary qualification for election to the directorate instead of the possession of three hundred as formerly, and the directors have the power to pay a greater interim dividend than at the rate of 10 per cent. CHAMBER X)F COMMERCE. % The quarterly meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce was held on the 19th October, the president (Mr. A. Porter) occupying the chair. The Chairman, in his opening speech, said that business was now on a sounder footing in town and country, merchants were in better spirits, and farmers were in a better position than they had been for many years. ; THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE. Mr. John Reid moved "Thab this Chamber views with. satisfaction the steps taken by the Government for-the continuance of the San Francisco Mail Service." He said the Chamber had watched with great interest the whole question of the continuance of this important service, and by continuing their

efforts they would encourage the Government to go on as they had been doing, and so secure the carrying on of the service. Mr. A. H. Nathan said he would second the resolution for the purpose of speaking to it. During his travels in the South he found thab attempts were being constantly made to deviate the service to Wellington. He had been spoken to on the subject by bhe Wellington people, who thought the best interests of the colony would be served by making Wellington the port of call for the San Francisco boats. There was no doubb bhab while Auckland was bhe porb of call ib would be opposed by the Wellington people. It was, however, by far the quickest route for the mail service, and he thought bhe Government was wise to adhere to ib, and ib was only righb that the Chamber should view with pleasure the action of the Government and express bheir approval, for if they were at all careless the service would collapse from the apathy of the Australian colonies. The Council had to be thanked for the manner in which they had looked after the interests of the colony in regard to this important service. The motion was carried unanimously, and it was agreed to forward a copy of ib to the Postmaster-General. ROTORDA RAILWAY. Mr. M. Clark moved, "That this Chamber urges on the Government the necessity of pushing on with all possible despatch the completion of the unfinished portion of the Rotorua railway." In speaking briefly to the resolution, he said advantage ought to be taken of the summer season to get this line completed. Mr. Vaile seconded the resolution, which was put and carried. financial position op the council. The Chairman reminded the Chamber thab the financial position of the Council was in a bad state, and he moved, " That the subscription for the ensuing year for companies, warehousemen, and wholesale houses, be £2 2s, and for retailers and private individuals £1 Is,' and that a subscription be opened to, pay off present liabilities of the Chamber, amounting in all to £125." Mr. Nathan seconded the motion, and ib was carried. A vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman, and the meeting terminated. GOLD MINING COMPANIES. Hazelbank. —The annual general meeting of shareholders in the Hazelbank G.M. Co., Limited, was held on Monday, October 31, at the offices of Mr. F. A. White, Government Insurance buildings. Mr. J. M. Lennox presided, and apologised for the absence of Mr. J. L. Wilson, who was oub of town. The directors'report showed that after payment for the purchase of the Caledonian's Co.'s mine plant for £1000, there was a balance in hand on 30th September last, of £1167 Is 6d, out of which a dividend of Gd per share had been paid. During the year 1338 loads of quartz had been crushed, yielding 24490z lldwb of melted gold. The directors thought the time was near when it would be necessary to secure a crushing plant. Tho balance-sheet and mine managers' report were also read and adopted. The retiring directors, Mr. J. L. Wilson and Captain Jas. Smith, were re-elected. Mr. Menzies was re-elected auditor, and the meeting separated. Phoenix. — A general meeting of shareholders was held on October 21, at the company's office, Auckland, in compliance with the statute, to appoint directors. Mr. J. M. Lennox presided. There was an excellent attendance. The advertisement calling the meeting was read. The previous general meeting's minutes were read and confirmed. The election of directors was decided to be taken by ballot. The following was the result—Messrs. J. M. Lennox, G. Vidal, F. G. Armstrong, G. S. Kissling, G. Dunnett, and J. 13. Fairs were elected. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.

The annual meeting of shareholders of the Press Association was held at Wellington on Thursday, the 27th October. There wore a largo number present, including Messrs. Blundell (chairman), Kirkbride and Roydhouse (Wellington), Wilson and Brett (Auckland), Knowles and Dinwiddie (Napier), Weston (New Plymouth), Carson (Wanganui), Bannehr (Nelson), Guthrie and Wilkin (Christchurch), Fenwiok and Jago (Dunedin), Gilmour (Invercargill). Messrs. Brett and Guthrie, the retiring directors, were re-elected withoub opposition. After the general meeting the directors elected Mr. Fenwick, of the Otago Daily Times, chairman, Mr. H. Blundell, who has filled the position during the past year, retiring in accordance with the articles of the Association, which now provide that the chairman shall be chosen alternately from representatives of the morning and evening papers. Mr. Blundell, however, retains the position of resident director, which he has occupied for many years. A meeting of the local branch of the National Association was held in the Freemasons' Hall, Otahuhu, on Wednesday, October 26. There was a large attendance. Mr. R. Garrett was elected to the chair, and permanent officers were elected as follows :—Chairman, Mr. R. Garrett ; treasurer, Mr. Sturges; secretary, Mr. C. J. Elmsley ; delegate to the council of Association, Mr. P. A. Vaile. , At the annual meeting of the Direct Importing Company, at Dunedin, Mr. Hallenstein, chairman, stated that the net profit was £9733 as against £7300 last year, for whichthe company was mainly indebted to the new branch at Wellington, where the turnover had been larger than during the first year ab either Christchurch or Dunedin. A dividend of 7$ per cent, and a bonus of 4 per cent, on shareholders' purchases were declared, £2500 added bo the building sinking fund, and the whole of preliminary expenses, amounting to £1616, were written off, the directors preferring this to paying a higher dividend and bonus. General satisfaction was expressed at the manner in which the directors and managers had conducted the increasing business of the company.

The annual meeting of the Otahuhu Fruitgrowers' Association for the election of officers and receiving report and balancesheet for the past year was held on the 12th October. The president, Mr. W. E. Lippiatt, delivered an exhaustive address, reviewing the whole work of the association for the past 12 months. On the motion of Mr. Lippiatt, seconded by Mr. E. Hall, Mr. Alfred Sturges was elected president ; Mr. Lippiatt was elected vice-president, and Mr. G. B. Hutton was re-elected hon. secretaryand treasurer. The balance-sheet showed that the association had a credit balance of £1 Is. Hearty and cordial votes of thanks were carried by acclamation to Mr. Lippiatt and Mr. G. B. Hutton for the efficient manner they had respectively filled the positions of president and secretary for the past year.

At the fifteenth annual meeting of the shareholders of the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company, held at Christchureh on Monday, the 24th October, the profit on the year's operations was stated at £13,121. A dividend of 5 per cent, was declared for the half year ending September 30, making 9 per cent, for the year. The sum of £15,000 was carried to the reserve, and £2621 carried forward, besides the payingoff of a mortgage of £5000. The directors and auditors were reelected, and special thanks were accorded to Mr. Callen, the manager.

At bhe annual meeting of the shareholders of the Wellington Woollen Company on October 21 Messrs. W. A. Fitzherbert and R. Gardner were re-elected directors. The annual report shows the balance to profib and loss account to be £8436. After making ample provision for depreciation upon the company's plant and properties, carrying £1000 to the reserve fund, and bhe paymenb ot the interim dividend to 31sb March ab the rate of 8 per cent per annum, the sum of £69C2 is available for distribution. The directors recommend the payment of a further half-yearly dividend (the ninth) ab the usual rate ; of 8 per, cenb. per annum, which will absorb a sum of £1533, and the carrying forward of a balance of £5369 to next year's accounb. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

A meeting of business men interested in the manufacture of beet sugar was held at Wellington lon Oct. 18. ; Ib was decided to urge the Government bo have the operations of the Beeb Sugar Acb, 1884, extended for a further period of im years,

A meeting of the Auckland Institute was held in the Museum Building on October 17, Professor Brown presiding. There was only a moderately good attendance. A paper by Captain T. Broun, containing a description of new species of coleoptera collected by Messrs. G. Munro and A. T. Qrquharb, was taken as read ; as was also a paper prepared by Mr. A. T. Urquharb, descriptive of some new spiders. Mr. J. C. Firth then read an interesting paper dealing with some of the causes of fire on shipboard. He laid special stress upon the great danger of using charcoal for purposes of insulation, as ib was liable under certain circumstances to spontaneous combustion. He urged the substitution of pumice. Professor Brown considered thab Mr. Firth had made oub a good case against charcoal, and was of opinion bhab pumice, provided thab it could be obtained in sufficient quantities and ab a reasonable price, might prove a good substitute. -

The quarterly meeting of the representatives of the Lodges of the Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, belonging to the Auckland district, was hold on the 28th October in the disbricb chambers, Oddfellows' Hall, Cook-street. The officers present were : Brother John Clark, Districb Grand Master (in the chair); Deputy Grand Master John D. Gow, vice-chairman ; H. J. Smith, districb secretary ; and John Harley, the district warden. Tho representatives of the Lodges prosenb were : Brothers Syms, Leahy, Holland, Charles Rowe, Wright, Lewis, McLeod, Ruge, Alderton, Fowler, Leydon, Trust, White, Cyprian Rowe, Soubhgabe. Returns to hand show the. number of members to be 1064 ; the interest received during the quarter from the investments amounted to £465 23 6d there was paid during the quarter to sick members, £448 14s 6d, and £221 for medical attendance; the deaths were 3 males and 1 female, and the funeral donations paid came to £87, being £25 to each widow of deceased members and £12 to a member on the decease of his wife. The total of the reserve fund amounted to £41,492 18s. The District Grand Master, Mr. John Clark, gave a lengthy address, reviewing the work done by the district officers during the past quarter. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address, and ib was resolved to print the same in pamphlet form with the proceedings of the meeting. Ib was resolved on the motion of Brother McLeod to celebrate the inauguration of Oddfellowship in Auckland by a public demonstration and picnic early in February next year. A resolution was carried againsb quinquennial valuations being made by a valuer attached to the Registrar's office. Friendly Societies' Hospital Sunday will be held early in November, and steps were taken to ensure a large gathering.

The annual meeting of the Caledonian Society took place on October 20 in the Foresters' Hall. There was a fair attendance. Mr. Michaels, vice-president, presided ab the first part of the proceedings, but Captain Robertson, president, subsequently arrived and took the chair. The annual report showed that the membership was 178, and that an increase of 17 members had taken place during the year. The annual ball had been a great success, as also the Caledonian Sports at Lake Takapuna, while the Society had assisted at entertainments at Norbhcobo and Newmarkeb. v There was a credib balance of £44 15s. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year :— President, Air. John Earl; vice-president, Mr. A. Anderson; treasurer, Mr. McKinuon; secretary, Mr. Pennalligen; committee, Messrs. McCune, D. Robertson, H. McMurtrie, F. Wilson, E. Smith, and A. Tait ; auditors, Messrs. W. C. Fraser and F. Smith. Ib was decided to increase the annual subscription to 4s for ladies, and 6s for gentlemen. A vote of thanks was accorded by acclamation to the pianieb (Mr. England), to bho ladies and genblemen who had assisted ab the concerts, and bo the outgoing officers. Captain Robertson, on behalf of the committee, returned thanks. He stated thab the state of his health had led him to decline the presidency for the ensuing year. The meeting closed with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne."

The annual meeting of the Auckland Branch of the Mew Zealand Institute of Journalists was held in the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms on the 22nd October, the President (the Hon. W. McCullough, M.L.C.) occupying the chair. Mr. W. C. Bruce, of the New Zealand Herald, was elected a member, and Messrs. Ferguson .and Grey, of the Star, associate members. The Chairman read the annual report which showed bhe year's transactions to have been of a satisfactory nature, and stated that there was every indication of future prosperity—and on his motion ib was adopted. The action of the Branch's delegates, Messrs. P. Nolan and A. Reid, at the general meeting of the Institute in Wellington, was approved, and bhe reporb of bhe treasurer, Mr. G. M. Main, was adopted. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year : — President, Mr. W. Berry (proposed by Mr. T., W. Leys and seconded by Mr. A. Reid) ; treasurer, Mr. G. M. Main; secretary, Mr. A. Reid; committee, Messrs. Leys, Nolan, Douglas, and Geddis; delegates, the Hon. W. McCullough, Mr. Leys, and Mr. Nolan. Mr. Leys moved, " That the hearty congratulations of this Branch be accorded to the Hon. Win, McCullough, chairman of the Auckland Branch of tho Journalists' Institute, upon his nomination to a seat in the Legislative Council." The motion was seconded by Mr. Main and carried unanimously, Mr. McCullough making suitable acknowledgment. Mrs. Rattray and Miss Whibelaw were nominated as associate members, and Miss Geddis as a member of the Branch. On the motion of the Chairman, ib was decided bo forward a letter to Miss Vaile, formerly of Auckland, congratulating her upojl her election as a member of the Journalists'. Association of Australia.

On the 14bh October the annual business meeting of the Tabernacle Band of Hope was held in the schoolroom, which had been decked with flowers by some of the lady members. Pastor Blaikie presided. The secretary read the annual report, which gave a detailed outline of the society's work during the past twelve months, also the treasurer's reporb, which showed a credib balance of £2 7s sd. The officers for the coming year were then elected as follows : —President, Pastor James Blaikie; vicepresidents, Messrs. Joshua Robinson and William Baker; secretary, Mr. F. Ernest Kretschmar; assistant secretary, Mr. Frederick Walton; treasurer, Miss E. Gaze ; delegate, Mr. M. J. Franklin ; committee, Misses Spedding, Stewart, Vincent, Goodwin, Watts, and Emily Spedding, Messrs. William Blakey, and G. H. Crocombe. Since this society was formed eleven years ago 476 persons have signed its pledge. A meeting of the National Association of New Zealand was held on Oct. 26 for the purpose of allowing a discussion between Mr. Samuel Vaile, Dr. Davy, and others upon tho question of railway management and ownership. The meeting was an outcome of the recently-held annual meeting, when railway matters were mentioned by Mr. Vaile and Dr. Davy, and when ib was suggested thab one evening should be devoted bo debating the points upon which they disagreed. , The Presidenb of the Association, Mr. John Batger, occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of ladies and gentlemen. The chairman explained that, shortly, the difference between the disputants was that Mr. Vaile held that the railways should be managed by the "tate, while Dr. Davy held that they would be better managed by private enterprise. Several gentlemen took part in the discussion, and the meeting closed, with votes of thanks to the speakers and the chairman. , V ;

The half-yearly meeting of the shareholders in the Onehunga Land, Building, and Investment Society was held on October 14 in the Board-room, at Onehunga, Mr. C. yFleming, vice-president, occupying the chair. The report submitted by the directors showea a marked improvement in the condition ana, prospects of the Society since the yeany balance-sheet was presented in April last, The interim balance-sheet having *'f ° ™en read, was, with the report, una mmously adopted. ; .vThe appointment of m. £. Highs as a director vtce Mr. Hulchison, resigned, and Mr. James Robb.as treasurer, was approved of by the meeting, and some warm encomiums having been passed on Mr. Gatland's enemies as secretary, the meeting terminated.; ;-. ..■.:..,,-;.: •-'