CALEDONIAN YEAR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 254, 30 December 1940, Page 5

CALEDONIAN YEAR

THE WHAKATANE SOCIETY POPUI .A 111 TY MAI NTATNED There was a definite note ofi enthusiasm at the annual, meeting of the Whakatane Caledonian Society, held in the County Council Chambers last Monday evening and presided over by Chief Simons. The attendance was fair the band being well represted. The balance sheet showed a credit of £147/13/0. and assets totalling £43. The Chief congratulated members on the splendid year they had. experienced in spite of the war period 1 .

In his report the Chief referred to the number of inglesidcs at which the band had played during ihe yefu" these included Edgecumbe, Otakiri, Taneatua. Waimana and Opotiki.The band had also attended a special ral ly at Rotorua and given a good account of itself. Six of the bandsmen had joined the forces and each had been presented with a money-belt £1 and a sprig of heather. The 1 Society had coronerated with the Winter Show again in running the High land section and medals were presented for local events fi-om the Society and individual members. Donations had been made 1 as under: Sick and Wounded Fund, £11/10/0, London Distress Fund £5/5/0. Details of the balance sheet showed members subscriptions-at £13/15, Donations £5/18/0, and!. Tngleside. proceeds £94/4/4. Items of expenditure were: Donations £16/15/0/, Advertising and Printing £3/4/5,, Wallets and enclosures £10/4/3, Hall hire £13/0/0, Equipment £8/8/3, Pipes reeds, etc., £93/1-/10..

Baricl secretary D. Patterson reported that there were 14 members eligible for parades while. there\ were five learners. Practices had been well attended and all uniforms were in .good order. Oil the motion of Mr W. How at, it was decided to send cabled greetings to all band members serving ov erseas..with tliei armed forces.

Election of Officers The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted a under: Patron Mr W. Grant, Chief, Mr J. W. Simons; Chieftains, Messrs,r W.-Howat and. D. Patterson; Secretary, Mr G. Kings]ey-Smith; Treasurer, Mrs F. Berry; Executive, Messrs. A. Ferguson, Watson, King and Mrs Martin. Social Committee, Mesdames E. Armer, King, Berry, Craig, Symons, Misses M, How at, and G. Simons-, and Mr S. West. Doorkeeper, Mr Nixl McLehnon: Pipe-Major, Mr I-J Johnston; Auditor, Mr A. Nicol. In recognition of his past services Mr Nicol was voted a 1 iCo member* of the Society, Votes of thanks to Miiss.K. Walton, Mr Watson and the Press were, passed. Bandi and l the Home Guard The Chief introduced the l question of the Pipe Band joining up with the Home Guard and invited estiohs as to whether members should be asked to join up individually or as a unit. After some discusston it 'was decided to recommend that the band join up as unit and the question of wearing .uniforms or not be left to the discretion hf the Cine I' and the 1 Pipe-Major. A hearty vote of congratulation was passed to Pipe-Major Laurie Johnston on tlie splendid progress >f the band. Future Ingtesides Mr Kingsley-Smith suggested that the inglesides in-future be run by separate groups in order that (Jlie burden did not fall too heavily on the same willing workers. He suggested that the hand undertake a programme one night, the ladies another, tlie juniors another and so on. The recommendation will go; forward to the committee . The meeting closed with a vote o! thanks to all who assisted with Soc iety activities during the year.