ROYAL EMPIRE SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20288, 22 June 1929, Page 14

ROYAL EMPIRE SOCIETY.

INCREASE IN MEMBERS. BUILDING OF NEW I PREMISES., [from our own correspondent.] LONDON, May 18. Sir John Sandeinan Allen presided at the annual meeting of tho Royal Empire Society, when tho Fellows authorised the raising of £225,000 for tho purpose of rebuilding, refurnishing and equipping the premises. f Tho chairman stated that the membership had increased during the year from 14,399 to 16,146, and there was an important increase in the present year. Their building had long been too restricted for their requirements The extension, which would bo begun without further dolay, would provide, in addition, to bedroom "accommodation, a hall for meetings, an improved library, a, lounge and a smoking room. Sir George Boughey was retiring from tho secretaryship, but he was joining the council. Mr. Georgo Pilcher had been appointed as his successor. The annual report stated that tho Duko of, York and the Duke of Gloucester had become honorary Fellows of the society. 'lhe income lor tho year, exclusive of amounts received in respect of the new premises guarantee fund, was £26,408, which, with the amount brought forward, gave a surplus of £3182. The number of books and pamphlets in the library was now* and tho work of cataloguing it was proceeding satisfactorily. Tho number, of Empire newspapers and periodicals now received regularly was 1021.