CALEDONIAN SOCIETY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 289, 31 March 1941, Page 5

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY

ACTIVITIES DISCUSSED MEMBERSHIP QUEST]OX The activities of the Whakatane Caledonian Society were discussed at a further meeting of the executive committee held recently, when it was decided to grant permission to the Pipe Band to parade at Opotiki on Anzac Day, providing the visit did not clash with the Whakatane £>arade. The Band is also to parade at tha Awakeri gathering of the Home Guard on April 6 and at Edgecumbe Gala Day on April 5. It was decided to temporarily suspend the order for further new uniforms in view of the fact that it is possible that several members of the band will shortly Avill shortly leave for service with the Military Forces. An interesting discussion following the introduction of a notice ol motion by Mr A. Ferguson on the question of membership to the Society. Mr Ferguson maintained that it was impossible to keep strictly to the Scottish element, and considered that in a community such as Whakatane the door should be opened to people of ether than Scottish blood, who at the same time had interest in the Caledonian activities.

Mr Ferguson moved that the clause, in the constitution stipulate Lng that members be of Scottish descent or extraction be rescinded, and all persons proposed, nominated by two existing members, and approved by the executive, be eligible for inclusion on the Society's register. The motion was fully discussed and it was finally decided that it be presented to an extraordinary general meeting to be held in the neai future. The matter of compiling a proper constitution and taking the required steps to Incorporate the Society was left at the hands of the Chief, Mr Howat and the secretary.

Two new members were elected, namely Mrs W. J. Fisher and Miss N. Cleland.