CALEDONIAN SOCIETY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 103, 22 December 1939, Page 5

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

SUCCESSFUL YEAR REVIEWED

"I must congratulate the Society on the sound financial position it has achieved," said the Chief, Mr W. J. Symons at the annual meeting of the Whakatane Caledonian Society last Wednesday evening, when he announced that after paying for the new uniforms there remained a credit balance of £175 and assets amounting to a further £195.

The Society he added had held thirteen dances and Inglesides during the year netting a total of £175 K}s lid, while a further three benefit socials had realised a further £41 Is 2d. Though the band had been equipped they were still awaiting cross-belts and buckles. At the special dance held to mark the arrival of the uniforms no less than 650 persons attended and the takings were £64 Is. He congratulated the ladies on their work on that occasion. The band hf'.l also participated in the rally at Rotorua and provided an item in the evening at the special Ingleside at which 800 persons Ave re present. The organisation had also co-operaled Avith the Winter Show in running the Highland Section Avhicli Avas a singular succcss. He concluded by thanking all the officers and members Avho had worked Avith him during the year.

Sound Finances,

The balance sheet which showed a credit balance and total assets amounting to £414 14s 10 was read and adopted and was favourably com men ted on by Mr W. Howat Sn., who said that it reflected the greatest credit on all concerned in view of the small community in which the Society operated. The Inglesides were definitely appreciated and in fact Avhere ever held the halls had not been enough to accommodate the crowds. Though the war overshadowed the coining year he hoped that it would not be long in passing and that the work of the

Society would continue to progress,

The Secretary, Mrs F. E. Berry, reported lhat the total financial membership was now 04, and it was hoped that it would be increased in the near future. Officers Appointed. The election of officers resulted: Patron: Mr J. A. Grant. Chief: Mr W. J. Svmons. Chieftains: Messrs H. D. Patterson and W. J. Howat. Secretary and Treasurer: Mrs F. E. Berry. Executive: Messrs A. Ferguson, and F. L. Watson and Mesdames J. Martin and M. Craig. Social committee: Messrs W. Howat Jn., A. McLen noil, .A Stark, Mesdames W. J. Symons, J. Martin M. Craig, Armer and Miss M. Howat. Pipe Major: Mr L. Johnston. Auditor: Mr A. Nicol.

Progress of Band

In his report tlie Band Secretary, Piper A. Donaldson, said that the band had lost the services of Piper J. Collins and Drummer O. Martin both of whom had joined the colours. Several representative parades had been held and though active band members numbered only 11, there were prospects in the New Year of others joining up and building up the existing number.

Possibility of Sports Meeting,

The question of the possibility of holding a Caledonian sports meeting at Easter was introduced and discussed fully by the meeting, it being pointed out that with the cooperation of the surrounding Caledonian Societies and perhaps the attendance of at least two neighbouring Pipe Bands that a really fine display could be put on, which would demonstrate to the public generally that the Society was fully alive and endeavouring to spread abroad the ideals for Avhich it stood

The suggestion met with popular approval and it was unanimously recommended to the executive, that the matter be fully explored with a view to promoting sufch an event if at all practicable.

Thanks end Appreciation.

A hearty vote of thanks was conveyed to Mr Doug. Patterson who since the band's inception has carried out the duties of Pipe Major in a manner which has reflected the greatest credit on himself. On the motion of the Chief a vote of thanks was also carried to the ladies, both in the Society and beyond it, who had so willingly assisted in all the socials and functions which had been held throughout the year.