LYTTELTON COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 748, 15 October 1870, Page 4

LYTTELTON COLONISTS' SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the members of this institute took place in the reading room, on Thursday evening. There was a very good attendance. Dr Donald, president of the institute, occupied the chair, and read the minutes of the previous annual meeting. He said another year had passed, which was not uneventful to the society and the community at large. The society had completed its nineteenth year of existence, during which time it had risen and fallen on several occasions, and be was happy to say it had risen considerably during the past year ; and their financial position was very good. The winter readings had been a great success, and the hall had been well patronised. During the past year, the different religious bodies had used it for their gatherings. A recommendation had been made by the committee that the building should be insured to a greater extent. At present it was only insured for £200, and it was proposed to insure for an extra £1000. This was a matter for those present to discuss and decide upon. A list of names had been proposed, and amongst others he was nominated for president : but he wished this year to withdraw his name f om office ; he had done his best to further the views and interests of the society. He also desired that they would not put him on the committee ; but, as it was the wish of the members, he agreed to be elected. The treasurer, Mr Nalder, read the following report : — " At the close of the last financial year, although a balance appears on our books as standing to the credit of the society, yet we were heavily in debt, which, I am glad to say, we are now free from. When I speak of the debts of the society, I do not refer to the mortgage over the building, because the two building society's shares which we hold, and are now worth about £70, will pay off the mortgage when it falls due. At the close of last year, we were in debt upwards of £60, which is now cleared off ; and we have also expended the sum of £10 in having some of the books in tbe library bound. On turning to the other Bide of the account, I think I.have cause to congratulate the members on the increase in our income as shown in the amounts of £272 18s Bd, having been received from various sources. I must draw attention to the very liberal contributions we have received from those gentlemen who gave amateur theatrical entertainments for the benefit of the society, and also from the Garri.k Club. Fr.om the exertions of the former, we received the sum of £53 13s, and from the latter £13 133. The winter entertainments have also proved successful, realising the sum of £36 17s 6d, for the success of which we are solely indebted to the untiring exertions of our worthy vice-pre-sident, Mr H. R. Webb. The balance sheet as laid on the table, shows that the amounts received for rent of large hall, was £91 5s 6d; members' subscriptions, £58; amateur theatricals, £67 ss ; Dr. Haast's lecture, Miss Evans' benefit, Mr Webb's lecture, &c, £8 14s ; donations — Mr E. Richardson, £10; Mr T.Abbott, 16s 6d; winter readings, £36 17s 6d. The balance to the credit of the society was £36 18s lid. Mr Packard moved, Mr Bolt seconded, and it was resolved, "That the balance sheet as read be received and adopted." The following report on the Chess Club formed in connection with the Colonists' Society, was read by the president :— "This club was formed in August, 1869, and twenty members have joined, paying an entrance fee of one shilling each. There are now fourteen members belonging to the club. The subscription has been one shilling per month for the six months ending Oct., 1870. During the period the club has been in existence, there have been five games played with other Chess Clubs in the province, viz., three with the Christchurch Clvb — of which the Lyttelton Club won one game — and two with the Kaiapoi club, each club winning one game. The funds accumulated from the subscriptions paid, are set apart for the payment of the entrance fee in the challenge tournament now being played between the representatives of the Christchurch, Kaiapoi, and Ly ttelton clubs. Should a prize be won by the represantative of this club it has been decided to expend the money in the purchase of boards and men for the use of the club. Mr W. Graham has very kindly given the club sufficient wood (black and yellow akeake) to make two sets of full-sized club men, and has, in addition, prepared the different pieces for turning. It would be a great convenience to tbe club, if the society would grant permission to occupy the committee room one evening in each week for the purpose of meeting and playing, it being understood that if the committee room is required for any remunerative purpose the club shall meet in the smoking room as at present." The election of officers for the ensuing year next took place, resulting as follows: — President, Mr H. R. Webb ; vice-president, Captain P. D. Gibson ; hon. treasurer, Mr H. N. Nalder ; hon. secretary, Mr J. Carder-; i committee, the Rev. F. Knowles, Messrs J. T. Rouse, E. S. Ellisdon, W. Packard, J. S. Willcox, W. Donald, J. T. Wilkin, J. D. Macpherson, H. Allwright, E. Giraud, D. Campbell, B. Weyburne, Captain Gibson having taken the chair, said he begged to thank them for the honour they had conferred upon him by electing him for the second time to the office of vicepresident to the Society, and he could assure hem that he would devote his best energies to promote the success of the institution. He was certain too much praise could not be bestowed on the retiring officers for the deep interest and untiring zeal with which they had fulfilled their duties. The financial position of the Society was greatly improved since he last held office, and he trusted the time was not far distant when it would be free from debt. There were two items of expenditure, however, that he should strongly advocate, and which would, he believed, "only temporarily increase their liabilities, inasmuch be

they would both prove reproductive. He referred to a liberal supply of new books and an improved plan of lighting the hall and reading-room. In the unavoidable absence of Mr Webb, he begged to thank them on his behalf for the honour they had conferred upon him by electing him unanimously president, and he need hardly assure them of his continued zeal on behalf of the Society. (Cheers.) Dr House said he thought it would only be a grateful tribute to their late President to elect him an honorary member of the society? and he moved that this bo done. Dr Camp V bell seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Dr Donald, in returning thanks, said he had been connected wi h the Institute for nearly 20 years, and he thought he might retire on his laurels, but anything be could do to assist the society he would do most willingly. The Treasurer having returned thanks for being re-elected, a discussion ensued respecting the insurance of the hall. The Rev. F. Knowles moved, Mr Nalder seconded, and it was resolved, " That this meeting recommend the committee to insure the building for a further sum of £1000, should they deem it desirable.