MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9774, 22 March 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

MEETINGS.

WOMEN'S POLITICAL LEAGUE.

The annual meeting of the Women's Political League was held on the 12th of March at the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms. Mrs. JJaldy presided. The annual report as read by the secretary showed that there had been fourteen general meetings and one public meeting during the past year. Pressure had been brought to bear upon the Legislature concerning several matters specially bearing upon the women of the colony, and the political education of tlio League had been assisted by several papers and addresses by members of Parliament and other friends. The League would strive during the coming year to secure united action on the part of all similar organisations in approaching Parliament, and to discourage isolated action by the different bodies. The question ot borrowing, to which they strongly objected, would be dealt with, and they wonld strive to make the laws relating to marriage and divorce bear evenly upon men and women. They did not seek to make divorce easier, for that would simply intensify the present misery, but they did desire to place tho sexes upon an equal footing. Then they would like to seo tho age of consent raised to 21 years, and they thought that where women were required to undertake positions of equal responsibility, and whero they were equally efficient, they should receive equal remuneration with men ; but they did not desire to supplant tho men. They also demanded that barmaids, if employed at all, should be treated in the same way as shop assistants. They intended to get the opinions of tho other Leagues upon these questions. The balance-sheet showed that the receipts were £12 9s 6d, and the expenditure £10 if 9d. This, together with the balance from the previous year, left & balance in hand of £4 13s. The report and balanco - shoeb were adopted. The following officers were then elected for the ensuing year : — President, Mrs. Daldy; secretary, Mrs. Giles treasurer, Mrs. Clarke; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Davis (Mount Eden); vice presidents, Mesdames McMillan and Batty. The election of the other officers was adjourned till the next meeting, at which it is hoped every member will attend.

The annual meeting: of the members of the Northern Club was held on Feb. 28 Mr. Warwick Weston was elected president for the ensuing year, and Dr. C. H. Haines, vice-president. The annual meeting of the Acclimatisation Society was held in the Museum Buildings on March 13, under the presidency of Mr. J. Bum The report of the past year was of a satisfactory nature. The following gentlemen were elected as members of the Council:—Messrs. A. C. Whitney. A. A. White, H. Walker, J. Russell, P. 1). Rich, T. T. Masefield, H. C. Chovce, A. Chat field, A. Buckland, A. Bud", E. Harrow, Hill, Gillies, W. M. Douglas (Waikato), Younghusband, Dr. Lewis, and Ry. W. Beatfcy. Mr. Harrop was reelected auditor for 1595. On the motion of Captain Whitney. Mr. W. Cook Daniels was elected a life member of the society. Several gentlemen spoke in flattering terms of the services rendered to the society by Mr. Daniels. At the annual meeting of Messrs. Kempthorne, Pn~sser, and Co., New Zealand Dru-g Co., at Dunedin, the report recommending a dividend of 7$ per cent, was adopted. Mr. B. Sievwright, in moving its adoption, said the bad debt? were heavy for the year. Thi« was partly accounted for by a desire to bring to a head unsatisfactory accounts, chiefly in Wellington. Tho prospects of the coming year are considered fairly good. Since the formation of the company over £100,000 had been paid in dividends. In reply to a question, the Chairman said sufficient linseed bad been erown during the year to moot require ments. There was an improvement in the quality, and the crops were as Ueavy, if not heavier, than those in India. Growers were at present satisfied with the results. Mr. B. Hallenstein and Dr. Eg/ston were reelected directors, and the retiring additors were re-appoi.nted. The twenty-seventh session of the Grand Lodge 1.0.0. F. began at. Dunedin on Tuesday, the 19th of March. Proceedings were commenced with the presentation of an address by the Duuedin District to G.M. Burvili and officers ot rhtj Grand Lodge. The treasurer's roport stated that the receipts bad been £)t)Bri 5s 51, and the funds, with the exception of management, were showing substantial progress, the funeral fund having increased by £1264 19s 2d. He suggested withdrawing sufficient from the funeral fund to put the management fund in credit, and that of the balance of surplus rive per cent, be placed annually to the credit of the management fund. The report was adopted. The total gain for the year was 81, making a total on the roll of 1077. The degree of F.G.M. was conferred on Brother T. Cole.

The annual meeting of the Auckland University College Students Association waff held in the College Library on the 14th March, the President (Mr. F. E. Bau.me, LL.B.)in the chair. There was a large attendance. The annual reports and balance sheets were read and adopted. The Association itself —and all the College Clubs affiliated to it — show handsome credit balances. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:— President, Mr. F. E. Ban me, LL.B. (reelected) ; vice-presidents, Messrs. E. K. Mulgan, B.A. (reelected) and T. U. Wells, M.A. ; hon. secretary, Mr. W. K. Fitcbett; committee, Messrs. Walker, Wither, C. Major, M.A., B.Sc. (all re-elected), Choyce, McCullough, and Battley. Subcommittees to attend to Dramatic Club and Football Club matters were also elected.

The annual meeting of the Auckland District of the Oddfellows' Society was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, i .'ook-street, on Wednesday, February 28. The election of officers for the ensuing twelve months resulted as follows: — Grand Master, John McLeod, of the Good IntentLodgo; Deputy Grand Master, Peter McNab, of the Fountain of Friendship Lodge ; Corresponding Secretary, H. J. Smith, of the Good Intent Ix>dge; Warden, John Harley. £150 was ordered to be paid to the trustees for investment, and the balancesheet disclosed a very satisfactory state financially, the district and lodge funds (in round numbers) being worth £50,000. The increase in membership during the year has been 67. There has been paid during the name time the sum of £2443 12s 2d in sick pay, and the sum of £337 in funeral moneys.