Complimentary.

On the motion of Mr Quick, seconded by the Chairman, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr James Brown for his valuable services as treasurer to the Institution.

Mr Brown briefly acknowledged the compliment, and said that he had retired from active service in accordance with the suggestion of his medical adviser.

The Rev. W. Ronaldson proposed a vote of thanks to the President and the retiring Committee for their services during the past year. He had attended some of the weekly meetings of the Committee, and found that their duties were not of a very easy character.

Mr G. R. West, in seconding the motion, said that for three years he had sat on the Committee, and never heard of a clergyman attending their meetings. He thought that the clergy should follow Mr Ronaldson's example, and attend the meetings as members of the Committee ex officio. page 19 It would do the clergy good to hear the cases brought before the Committee.

Rev. W. Ronaldson : I was there as a suppliant.

Mr A. H. Ross pointed out that only ministers of congregations in Dunedin that contributed towards the funds of the Institution were members of the Committee ex officio.

Mr West : I thought that all the congregations contributed annually.

Mr Ross : That is not so; all the congregations are not contributors to the Institution.

The motion was carried by acclamation.

The Rev. A. R. Kerkham expressed regret that there was not a large attendance at the annual meeting of this noble and beneficial Institution, and he suggested that the time fixed for the meeting wss inopportune.

Mr Quick humorously suggested that if Mr Kerkham got up a row in connection with the management of the Institution, he would probably have a crowded meeting.

The usual compliment to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.