MEETINGS AND ENTERTAIN-MENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10752, 13 May 1898, Page 3

MEETINGS AND ENTERTAINMENTS.

. The second annual meeting of the Ellerslie Social Club was held on Wednesday evening in Cairns' Hall; Ellerslie. There was a large attendance of members and intending members. The Rev. W. E., Gillam presided: I Thei report of the committee for the 1897 season was a very satisfactory one j. this, and theMance-sheet, which showed a credit balance of £1 17s 6d, was approved and adopted. Votes of thanks were accorded the committee and officers of the past year. Special mention was made 'the good work so unselfishly accomplished by the lion, secretary, Mr. E. C. Brown, in promoting the objects of the club. The following gentlemen were appointed an executive for the ensuing year:-President, Mr. A. Mclllmms; vice-presidents, Rev. W. E. Gillam, Messrs. H. E. Harrison, J. J. Waddell, *. VI. Court, and Captain Mitchell; secretary and treasurer, Mr. E. C.. Brown (reelected); committee, Messrs. Browing, Hoiden, Nutt, McKinney.T. N. Peek, G. Peek, Scmerfield, and Waddell. Already a large number of the young men in the district have joined the club, which is run on somewhat the same lines as a public readingroom, meetings at present being held weekly, the amusemen provided being evidently appreciated by the youth of Ellerslie. ' ?■-... v • The fortnightly social in aid of the St. Benedicts school fund took place on Wednesday evening. There were about 140 couples present, and all spoke in terms of high praise of the floor.;' The committee of ladies and gentlemen deserve great ' credit lor the excellent manner in which these functions are carried out. Messrs. Stead, Urbett, and Norman acted as M C 's The fourth meeting of the sixth session of tlie Utaia Mutual Improvement Association was held in the Otara Hall on May 9. The Otahuhu Society provided the programme for the evening. Mr. A. Douglas, president of the Otahuhu Society, occupied the chair, and gave an interesting address The evening was devoted to vocal and instrumental music, essays, readings, recitations, etc. The items were duly criticised by members of the Otara Society. A vote of thanks was passed to the visitors for the excellent programme which they had provided, and this was carried by acclamation. A farewoll social was tendered last night to the Rev. George Burgess, late minister of the Beresford - street Congregational Church, at the Young Men's Christian Association Buildings, Wellesley - street. The chair was occupied by Mr. E. Withy who in the course of his speech said that perhaps one of the most prominent parts that Mr. Burgess had taken in this city was : in connection with the Conciliation Board, He (Mr. Witby) felt sure that as a minister of religion Mr. Burgess had: done a great deal of good work in Auckland, and that his Sunday services of applied Christianity had been of great help to many. Letters werereceivod from the Revs. W. Williams, J. Clark, and Mr. G. L. Peacocke expressing thoir regret at being unavoidably absent, and wishing Mr. Burgess God - speed and success in his new sphere of work at Timaru. Kabul Goldstein made a short speech and Mr. Gottridgo also spoke. The Rov. A. H. Collins delivered an address on " Social Reform," in which he oulqgised Mr. Burgess' offorts in that direction. Mr. J. J. Holland, M.H.8., spoke in the highest terms of Mr. Burgess, in bis capacity of chairman to the Conciliation Board, as also did Mr. J. Fawcus. The Rev. G. Burgees, in returning thanks, said ho should have enjoyed the meeting immensely were it nob for its subject and its object. The rev. gontloman referred in fooling terms to the loyal friendship and cordial goodwill of the large meeting present, and of many outside. He had simply triod to do his duty, and was quite contonb to leave it to the test of time nndthcfinalaward which comes to every man. He looked upon thatinoeting as acompany of citizens having one common bond of unity. Speaking of free thought and free speech, he said there was no place whero it must be so resolutely exercised as in the- pulpit. There was no domain in human life to which Christianity was nob applicable. So long as society had not reached the finality of truth thoi'o must bo reformers. During his ministry he had had . to contend with . some difficulties, oven amounting to false-' : hood and misrepresentation, but that.bad made him speak more freely and work more diligently. Oii'bohalf of Mrs. Burgess and himself ho wished them good-bye. During tho evening several musical items were contributed, Mrs. King singing " Sun, shino and Rain" and " The Promise of Life;" Miss Wood, "River of Years" and "The Brook."

There was a good attendance at St, Matthew's schoolroom, Hobson-street, last ovening, when tho annual social in connection with tho parish branch of the Church of England Temperance Society took place. The Rev. L. FitzOerakl, tho president, occupied tho chair. The annual report showod steady progress in the good work undertaken by tho socioly, and a pleasing increase in membership, while tho statement of accounts showed a slight credit balance. A pleasing musical and elocutionary programme was given by members and friend?, among the contributors to which were Mosdames Glovor and Doonin, the Misses Aylott, Bullen, and Jenkins, and Messrs. Heath and Tait. The chairman announced the continuation of the fortnightly meetings of the society, which aro held in the schoolroom on Thursday evening of every othor week.