THE BROTHERHOOD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 301, 13 May 1913, Page 8

THE BROTHERHOOD.

; ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Brother--1 hood (unsecterian) was held last night. \ ANNUAL REPORT. ! The annual report, which was read and ; adopted, recorded that meetings were ' held regularly each Sunday from May sth to October 27th, 1912, inclusive, and the committee met with valuable assistance from many local gentlemen and visitors, in addressing the Brotherhood on topics which proved most interesting. In the matter of chairmen, the committee had also been fortunate, as every gentleman asked most readily consented to aet, and added materially by their presence to the success of the meetings. Not a little of the great success of the Brotherhood has been due to the inspiring singing of the men, led by Mr. Perry, as conductor, and Mr. A. V.'Carbines as pianist, and to the generous help the various soloists, musicians and bandsmen had rendered. To all of these the committee desired to tender their sincere thanks. During the summer interval two sets of Brotherhood Hymnals had been procured, and from a casual glance at the music, the committee was hopeful of giving much wider scope during this session to the abilities of the pianist and conductor. As would be noted from the balance-sheet presented, the weekly Advertising of the meetings has been the chiem item of expenditure. In this matter, however, the Press had given the Brotherhood every assistance, and the committee felt deeply indebted to both the local papers for the splendid reports they have furnished of the addresses given at the meetings. It was felt that the Press in serving a much wider public (in many cases .situated in remote country districts, away from the influence of the gatherings) have aided considerably in spreading thti principles for which the Brotherhood stands. During the winter months a considerable amount of assistance was rendered to men in need, to get temporary work, and in cases of sickness in rendering such help as was thouglit necessary, without pauperisms the individual. It will be noted from our minutes that three Brothers who were present »t the preliminary meetings, and who, in the initial stages of the movement, rendered enthusiastic assistance in the formation of the Brotherhood, had passed over to the great majority. The report referred to Messrs. C. A. Benbow, J. Fabian, and T. R. Hodder. These gentlemen were all well-known citizens, and could at all times he depended upon to give their support to every worthy object. In closing, the report referred to the fact that the committee who had the matter in hand, found themselves unable to go forward with the open air meeting decided upon during the sum- , mer. Ths wias chicflv due to the re- ' fusal of the Recreation Grounds' Board to grant the use of their grounds for such meetings, and the committee felt ■ that it were better to omit them than ; they should be held in unsuitable 'localities. In conversation with the chairman of the Board, it might be said that ' the committee felt (states the report) ' he took a quite proper stand in this ' matter, as lie pointed out that the ' Board, if it granted the Park for one or- 1 ganisation, could not well refuse it to ( another. The membership had exceeded the most sanguine expectations, and H2!) '- men gave their names as members. The attendance had been good throughout, ] averaging some 230 throughout the session. OFFICERS ELECTED. President: The Rev. J. W. Burton , (re-elected); vice-presidents: Dr. Home I Rev. F. Hale and Messrs. G. W. Browne! Hirst, and E. Dockrill; secretary, Mr. A. I 8. Brookcr; musical director, Jfj.

Cray j pianist, Mr. A. V. CaiMaea. Var» ions committees were set up. ADMITTANCE Or 1 1 *.n n '< The qucestion of admitting ladies to the meeting was raised, and after some considerable discussion, it was d 'dded to admit them once, during the session. A vote of passed, recording the good wcrk done tiv the retiring musical director, Mr, .W. Perry,