MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12519, 11 March 1904, Page 6

MEETINGS.

NEW ZEALAND NATIVES' ASSOCIATION. .A meetixg of the New Zealand Natives' Association (women's' branch) took place on* Tuesday evening, in the Pitt-street schoolroom, when four new members were elected. A letter was read from the lady of the Ladies' College, Remuera, thanking the association for the kindly interest expressed in a recent letter to the editor of the Herald in reference to the splendid work done by the ladies' colleges in and around Auckland. It was decided that a deputation wait upon His.Worship the Mayor to ask his interest in the home-nursing lectures by granting the use of one of the rooms in the Council Chambers to hold the meeting in, the lectures being given for the benefit of the masses generally. A deputation waited upon Mr. G. J. Garland, chairman of the Hospital Board, in the interests of New Zealanders, with reference to the recent resolution passed by that body to apply to Melbourne for a medical man to fill the vacancy of house physician at the General Hospital. After the deputation had placed their views before the chairman, that gentleman very courteously explained that prior appointments'from Dunedin had not given satisfaction, chiefly through the want of facilities to enable our young New Zealanders to properly qualify for the medical profession; therefore, with this in view, and in the interests of the general public, the Board felt it necessary to procure the bes*- surgical and medical aid for the General Hospital that the colonies could provide, with which view the deputation fully concurred. It was further felt that the association should approach the Government and ask its practical-sympathy in establishing a medical chair in the Auckland University, the chairman stating that if the Government would supply this much-needed want he felt sure the Board would grant every possible assistance to medical students in the furtherance of their practical studios. W.C.T.U. MEETING. A meeting of the Women's Christian Temperance Union was held in the Central Mission Hall on Wednesday afternoon, Mrs. Dewar (president) in the chair. After the usual preliminaries, the| question of petitioning Parliament re the abolition of barmaids was discussed, and was further adjourned until the next meeting, wfcish will take the form of a united social to welcome the returning delegates from the recent convention at Blenheim. .;:-,.-. PROTESTANT ALLIANCE FRIENDLY SOCIETY. The 23rd annual and fourth biennial session of the Protestant Alliance Friendly Society of Australasia was held on Wednesday last at the registered office. Mercantile Chambers, Queen-street, W.G.M. Brother H. H. Seabrook presiding. There were present representatives from lodges at Green Island, unedin, North-east Valley. Oamaru, Christchurch,. Addington, Wellington, Napier, Hastings, Thames. Auckland, and Mount Eden. Brother Jno. Salmon, Past Federal Council president, was also present as a delegate from the Federal Council of the Commonwealth. The Grand Executive Council in their report stated that £400 had been paid away for funerals during the year; that £765 Os 9d had been disbursed as sick allowance, but yet the funeral fund had a balance to credit of £5058 8s Id. and the sick fund a credit balance of £53&0 Is 3d, making a total credit balance of £11,418 9s 4d. The amount of interest and rent collected during the year, £323 7s, was the largest, amount ever collected during one year, and it was a notable fact that the interest on the accumulated capital had always been sufficient to pay all calls for funerals. The balance-sheets and auditors' report were adopted. Levies were struck for the ensuing biennial term, viz., 5s per annum to the funeral fund and 4s to the incidental fund. The election of officers to the Grand Executive Council'eventuated as follows: — W.G.M., H. H. Seabrook (re-elected for the third term); D.G.M., J. M. Tregaskis; grand secretary, W. Smith: grand treasurer, S. G. Burns; grand chaplain, W. G. Lumley; grand trustees, J. H. Field, W. J. May, and J. C. Oldbury; Past Masters in Executive Council, CD. Joy nt, •Jno. McGregor, and Jno. Carrie ; grand auditors, Jas. M. Tregaskis and J. C. Baddiley. It was resolved, " That this Grand Council is in favour of the principle of clearance values as established by the Federal Council, but the adoption of any scale be postponed until unanimity has been reached in the different Australian States, and also subject to the sanction of our registrar; before finally adopting the same the matter shall be placed before the different lodges according to law." The notice of motion to empower the executive to increase the contributions of members, who are not-pay-ing under the graduated scale, was withdrawn. With reference to taking over the Christchurch ledges, Brother Dal ley recommended that the matter be left in the hands of the New South Wales and New Zealand Grand Councils to deal with. At the one. o'clock adjournment the W.G.M., Brother H. H. Seabrook, invited tho members of tho Grand Council to accompany him in an excursion to Rangitoto, which the members gladly availed themselves of. Among the number was Brother Robert Scott, of the Thames, aged 82 years, who successfully, without assistance, accomplished the feat of climbing to the summit, when three ringing cheers were given him for his plucky achievement. A like compliment was paid to Brother Salmon, New South Wains. In referenco to the adoption of the Federal code of rales, Brother Salmon spoke at great ( length on the advantages, and strongly advised their adoption in New Zealand. After considerable discussion, it was resolved, ".That this Grand Council thank Brother Salmon for his able address, but. consider that it will not be advisable in the interests of the order in New Zealand to adopt the Federal code of rules.'' Brother Robert Scott, P.G.M., duly installed the officers. Brother W. H. Lumley mave notice to move, "That the payment of fees for registering wives to the funeral fund be abolished." Brother Salmon returned thanks for the courtesy and kindness the brothers extended him during his visit. The grand chaplain, Brother Lumley, read the closing prayer, and the W.G.M. closed the session in due form.- '~.'.