With reference to the latter, a letter was written to the Premier expressing the Association's dis appointment that land had not been acquired under the Land for Settlement Act, as we believed that if suitable blocks were taken up near the centres of popu lation for the purpose of cutting up into small allotments it would help to remove the unemployed difficulty ; also asking the Government, if it would subsidise local bodies in order to induce them to provide work to tide over the winter season. Branches of the Association have been formed at Bangiora, Kaiapoi, Biccar* ton, Oxford, Lyttelton and Amberley. This, then, gentlemen, U a brief outline of the work transacted during the first year of the Association's existence. Compared with what it might be, it is very little compared to what has been done before it is a. great deal. One thing is certain, and is eminently satisfactory, that we have now fairly launched an active political organi sation, capable of cementing, all the dif ferent sections of the advanced Liberal Party, capable also of development; as an educational force, aB an organising body, and of influencing public opinion in a most important manner. In this latter particular, viz., that of forming and focus sing public opinion, there cannot be a doubt but that an organisation such as this could be made to exert the greatest influence. We have, unfortunately, lost, for various reasons, the services of several of the gentlemen who were originally members of your Committee. Our old and valued friend, Mr C. J. Bae, whom you are aware removed to Auckland ; the Hon Mr Walker, whose valuable services are only trans ferred elsewhere; and Mr O'Callagnan, who rendered sterling service to our Associa tion. Your Treasurer, also, in consequence of his having become a candidate for Parliament, resigned his position, but at the request of the Committee agreed to hold office till the annual general meeting. The Association owes much of its success to the energy thrown into it by Mr Busßell, and it is a loss to it that it cannot re-elect him for a further term. However, although he will not be elected on your Committee, still the Association, I trust, will not altogether lose his very valuable assist ance. 