CALEDONIAN AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 196, 22 December 1941, Page 5

CALEDONIAN AFFAIRS

WHAKATANE SOCIETY'S YEAR

CHIEF W. J. SIMONS' REVIEW

In his report at the annual meeting of the Whakatane Caledonian Society the Chief, W. J. Simons, Esq., spoke as under:—

Ladies and gentlemen. It is with mixed feelings that I rise this evening t<o review the past year. We can feel proud of the fact that despite the war and the handicaps arising therefrom, we have to-day completed a year of extraordinary activity. I think I may say in fact that in years to come we will be 'able to lodk back upon this period as possibly the most important in our Jiistory. On the other'hand we cannot be blind to the direct and more personal effects of the war upon us. During the year we have felt for those of our members Avhose loved ones have been lost to them, wounded or made prisoners. To all of our good friends who have suffered in that respect Ave extend afresh our deepest sj'mpatliy.

Membership: The Society has an official membership of eight-three, though I understand that there are many new members to be enrolled this evening. There is need for a new drive for members and I would appeal to all those whoi have the interests of the Society at heart to do their best in order to enlist them.

Financial: It is pleasing to note that with assets amounting to over £500 the Society has also £147 in ready cash in the bank. The year has been an intensive one and as a result the revenue has been increased in spite of the Avar conditions.

King Street Hall: The most important event during the year was the negotiation and subsequent purchase of the King Street Hall as a permanent asset for the Society. This matter was introduced as a result of the executive deciding to look around for a section upon which to later build a hall. The offer of the hall in King Street came from the owner, Mr F. Maliy, and ivas finally accepted at a purchase price of £1000. The whole question •was discussed at an extraordinary ? general meeting and finally agreed "upon. The hall is now Society property. Caretaker: Mir J. King, a wellkn.own member of the Society has accepted the position as caretaker and as a result attends to the cleaning and letting of the hall. Improvements: Plans for the enlarging and improving of the hall are already prepared. Timber lias been purchased and the committee intends getting on with the work early in the New Year. The new * structure will include conveniences, :>a large kitchen and a meeting room. Incorporation: The Society was duly incorporated, the decision being made at an extraordinary general meeting on May 12, which was -well attended, and did much to create new enthusiasm. The constitution covers the Society in all its spheres of activity and may of course be altered from time to time, Inglesides: Though the attendance at Inglesides lias fallen off as a result of restrictions etc., the Inglesides themselves remain as popular as ever. This was proved by the decision to hold 'Goodwill Inglesides' in all the surrounding districts, which never failed to draw a good crowd. Visits were made to TeTeko,

"Waimana, Taneatua, Awakeri, Edge- . cumbe, and Otakiri. All were a success and I feel confident we could repeat the performance at all centres. To wind up the year a special concert was arranged under the able control of Mrs F. E. Berry.

Special Parades: As usual the Society ran the Winter Show competitions and the band took part in the procession. On Anzac Day the Band was represented at both Whakatane and Opotiki, w r hile it was also in attendance at the Home Guard reviews at both those towns. A special memorial service to the late Drum-major, L/Cpl W. Craig was held in the Presbyterian Church, and I have to thank the Church officers for their kindness and co-opera-tion in this connection.

Valedictory: The Society has lost good working-members during the year. In particular I- refer to Mr and Mrs F. Watson, who were members of the executive, and to Mrs C. Armer. To-night, will also be the last occasion when Crs Berry will be with us. This is most unfortunate for the Society, as Mrs Berry after serving a long term as secretary, lias retained the position of treasurer up till the present time. The Ladies: In passing, I feel that f must mention the work oif the ladies during the year. The Society sis most fortunate in the splendid (Continued in next column)

number of ladies who have always been willing to assist with the catering and general organisation of our activities. I would like to give them my special thanks. Prospects: In conclusion I desire tot thank the members of my executive for their unfailing support, and for their careful attention to Society matters. The outlook for ourselves, and our country at the present time is not the brightest. However I have sufficient faith to be certain that better times are not far off, and I feel that the Caledonian Society can help very materially inmaintaining the social life of the community. We have a hall now which demands that we must carry on in order to fulfil our obligations. It is therefore necessary for us to keep together as a band and to. foster the common aims which are our pride. I am sure that all members will be with me in that. There are bad times ahead for many of us. We cannot doubt that, but I hope and trust that the good fellowship which now exists will build a bond of common understanding which will help us all to. carry our burdens whatever they may be. Before closing may I be permitted to express the. hope that we will, in twelve months time be permitted to meet here again with perhaps a new and better outlook.