The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-08-30 00:00:00

ADJOURNED ANNUAL MEETING OF THE
WORKING MEN'S ASSOCIATION.

At the annual meeting of this valuable institution
held a month since, it will be remembered an adjourn.
meat was made after the appointment of the officers,
as the committee were unable to present a report in
consequence of the sub criptions not having been
called in. This has now been done through the kind-
ness of Mr. Edmunds and Mr. Chick, and the ad-
journed meeting wee held on Friday night last, when
the Mayor (C. Edmunds, Esq.), treasurer of the
Institute, presided. There were present—Messrs. R.
Symes, W. Gale, H. G. Simpeoo, R. Ebdon, A.
Norman, W. Medway, D. Stembridge, F. Grant, F.
Foote, T. Gale (London), /cc., with Masers. 0. Powell
and G. Thorne, lion. eecs.
His Worship, before calling for the report, remarked
that the deficit on their exchequer wet rsther heavy,
and trusted something would be done to wipe it off.
Mr. Powell, senior secretary, then presented the
annual report which stated that the operations could
, not be carri:d on without the pecuniary aid of its hon.
members, and apologizing for the delay in collecting
the subscriptions, such delay being unavoidable. The
committee recognized the liberality and kindness of
Mr. J. Legge, who placed two large and commodious
rooms at their service, and they seized this opportun-
ity to convey to that gentleman their hearty and ,
sincere thanks for his generality. They also wished to
acknowledge the spontaneous genera ty of Sir
Charles Wbetham, who, unsolicited, sent a
cheque to discharge the balance at the last
annual meeting. Tue committee regretted to state
that the balance now due to the treasurer was
much in excess of the one last year, for there were
expenses connected with the entry into the new pre-
mises of such magnitude as to greatly increase the
deficit now existing in the cash statement. There was
also a falling off, ban in the hon. and ordinary
members' subscriptions, • decrease in the amount
taken for old papers, and a slight increase in the
various items of expenditure; during the coming
season they hoped to devise means whereby the
existing deficit would be materially lessened, if not
altogether erased. They hoped every member would
use their individual Influence to further the object of
the Institution, and promote its welfare and pros-
perity. The expectation that the number of members
would largely increase on entering the new building
has not been realised, for now the number was lower
than at the end of best year; but they were pleased to
note that the attendance at the Ueading and Bagatelle
Rooms had been good, where many pleasant hour'
had been spent in friendly intercourse. The library
had not received any additions from purchases during
the years and it was obvious that they were unable to
accomplish anything in that direction for lack of
funds, altogether they were painfully aware that this
very useful part of the Association sadly needed
replenishing. The committee tendered their thanks
to Mrs. T. Colfox for a work called "Black Beauty"
to Mrs. T. Braseey for a handsome volume of her work
"Sunshine and Storm in the East.; "Mr. T. Colfox
for the Illustrated London Ness; Mr. C. Edmunds,
for the British Workesan ; Rev. R. L. Carpenter, for
the Shied ; Miss Andrews, for the Animal Wort!
Mies Stephens, for the Protest; Mr. 3. T. Stephens,
for sundry numbers of Teeth; and other friends for
various papers. In conclusion, the committee gave
their warmest thanks to the hon. members for their
subscriptions, also to the collectors, Messrs. Edmuude
and W. H. Chick."
The Mayor then produced the cash account which
showed a balance due to the treasurer of EH 4s. Sid.
He much lamented the mad state of the exchequer,
and it would require a long, and strong pull, ands pull
altogether to make them right ; this was the heaviest
deficiency they had during the time he had
the honor of being their treasurer. It was
not lately to occur again, and with an Increase
of members he hoped they would keep the institution
afloat. He trusted something would be done with this
end in view, and let Mr. Legg see they were keeping
above water. They had now 50 members, but they
ought to have at lime 150, for which number there was
plenty of accommodation. The Mayor moved the
adoption of the report and balance sheet, which was
seconded by Mr. Byrnes and carried unanimously. Mr.
Symes thought a monthly entertainment during the
winter would conduce to the increase of members.
Mr. Powell said in that case they must not leave all
to the oommitte, but each should help them as much
as poseible and use their influence. He had told them
at the' last meeting he was about to retire from the
eacretaryship,not that he was tired of the work, but
that he had not time to do it satisfactorily. They
might have comfortable evenings as formerly, and he
was willing, in any shape or form to help them
re), and he did not see why the deficit could not
(cheers),
cleared loft before next year. (Hear, hear). He
would move "that the entertainments be opened by
• soirde to be held on the 29th September." This was
seconded by Mr. Warr, and carried unanimously.
Mr. Thorne said he believed Captain Whetham would
pent them the use of the Drill Hall for the purpose,
but the place of holding the void* was left open. Mr.
Thorne was entrusted with the musical arrangsments,
and the appointment of a committee for carrying out
the entertainment', Ito
A discussion ensued as to intoxicating beverages at
the soirhe, and on being put to the meeting, it was
decided by an overwhelming majority that no intoxica-
ting liquors should be served on the occasion.
The Mayor then moved • vote of thank' to the
secretaries for their kind services during the peat year,
! which was curried by arelametion.
; Mr. Thome (hon. sec.), responded, thanking the
members for their kindly feeling. Mr. Thorne moved
a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding. Mr. C.
Edmunde was always kind to assist them in any good
work, indeed he might say the Mayor was the " Brid.
jiirt Gladstone." (Applause and laughter.)
The Mayor briefly responded, when the meeting
, terminated.