ROYAL EMPIRE SOCIETY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22685, 24 March 1937, Page 16

ROYAL EMPIRE SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING HELD ELECTION OF OFFICERS A measure of optimism, emanating from a review of the progress and achievements of the year, was expressed in the report for the first complete vear of the Royal I'.mpire Society (Auckland branch),, which was presented at the annual meeting of the society in the Victoria League rooms last night. Professor F. P. Worley, chairman of the council, presided. The report stated that the membership during the vear had increased from 190 fellows and three companions to 270 fellows 37 companions. The junior section of the branch, which includes members up to 2o years of age. made good progress under its own committee Although at the beginning of the year there were but three members, the number of companions at the end of the vear was 37. r lhe council hoped that fellows would give active encouragement to the junior section, which had a valuable field of work and great potentialities. A satisfactory financial position was revealed in the balance-sheet, there being a credit balance of £ll3. After briefly discussing the objects and usefulness of the society and the more serious purposes to which th« branch should direct itself, the new president, Mr. Justice Callan. delivered a short address on Ireland. This country's connection with the Hmpire. and the chief characteristics of its people, both in the north and the south, were mentioned by the speaker, who recalled a number of amusing incidents which befell him and his wife during a visit to Ireland in 1929. On behalf of the societv, Professor Rutherford extended thanks to Mr. Justice Callan. The following officers were elected: President. Mr. Justice Callan; vicepresidents, Sir Walter Stringer, Mr. Justice Fair, Mr. A. H. Johnstone, Pr. 10. H. 15. Milsom, Sir James Parr, Professor F. P. Worley; council, Messrs. Wvvcrn Wilson, S.M.. C. P. Spragg. C. H. T. Palmer. A. D. Jack, W. l'\ Fowlds. M. Copeland, S. J. Harbiitt. G. F. Joseph, G. H. Holford. H.T. Gibson, L. K. Munro, W. W. Dove; honorary secretary and treasurer, Professor J. Rutherford; honorary auditor. Mr. I?. A. Spinlev. The meeting passed a recommendation to the incoming council that the formation of group circles should be considered.