REMARKABLE PROGRESS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 37, 8 January 1943, Page 5

REMARKABLE PROGRESS

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S YEAR

ACTIVITIES IN SPITE! OF WAR

The fact that the Whakatane ' Caledonian Society had 1 in spite * of the war been able during the past year to acquire a new hall and two> shops, build thereon additions approximating £500 and still maintain a very active life sfocially, was revealed 1 in the ' Chief's annual report presented at the annual meeting of members held prior to the holidays. The Society can now lay definite • claim to being the most prominent - organisation of its kind, ever foundr •ed in the town, and it was pleasing to note the attendance at the " meeting, which clearly indicated the sustained interest of those who are behind the hard working com- ' mittee who have been responsible for so much concentrated activity. Improvements to Halil In his review, Mr W. J. Simons ' said. the. year had been a remarkable one. The hall additions had been completed, adding to the building ;a \ modern kitchen, dressing room and conveniences and also a large 'meeting room with built-in Inglenook fire place. This: latter had ' been furnished by members of the • Society and was now possessed of • a small billiard tabic and seating •accommodation. All financial com;mitments had been met in this re- • spect and he was. pleased to be able ■to point to a substantial bank balance as well. The Inglesid.es during tlie year had realised no less than £220 which xvas a record and he thanked the members of the Social Committee for their continued efforts in this direction. The band, said Chief Simons, had also fortunately been able to maintain its playing strength though .many of its members were now with the armed forces. He commended all members on their progress and active co-operation with ■the Society during difficult times. 'They had played at many .sporting .patriotic and social events. The band was also assisted by a group of its' members who were doing excellent avork in training up a number of ■'boys who would become potential ■players. The year had also seen the formation of a Scottish Scout troop inside the Society and in this direction they were indebted to the enthusiasm of Mr C. F. Thomas, the Scoutmaster. The troop made for the wider establishment of the So-•-ciety's interests and aims, He mentioned also that there were, but 60 financial members and appealed to those of Scottish extract to rally round and assist forward the cause.

Referring to Miss K. Walton who had recently gone to Auckland, he said that, the Society could take ■pride in the fact that one of ;its members had recently annexed, the provincial dancing championship against all comers at the Auckland" > competitions. He concluded by thanking the secretary and the. committee members -who had. given him such splendid support during the year. The balancc sheet, which was read and adopted, showed a credit balance of £100 and an excess, of assets over liabilities amounting to . £S3!H The election of officers for the incoming year resulted: — Patron- Mr .T. A. Grant, re-elected. Chief: Mr W. J. Simons, re-elect-ed . Chieftains: Mr W. Howat, re-elect-ed, Mr H. W. Paterson, re-elected. Secretary: Mr A. J. McKenzie. Treasurer: Nurse M. Craig, reelected. Auditor: Mr A. Nicol, rc-elccted. Executive: Mrs J. King, Mrs JMartin, Mrs J. King, Mrs C. F. Thomas. Pipe Major: Kir H. W. Paterson. Social Committee; Mrs A. J. McKenzie, Miss; M. Howat, Mrs J. King Jnr., Mrs C. F. Thomas, Mrs Raymond, Miss M. Raymond, Mrs 11. R. F. Mackintosh, Messrs, W. Howat Jnr., A- Ferguson, H. R .p. Mackintosh. Scout Committee: Chief W. J. Simons, Nurse, M. Craig, Messrs H. W. Paterson, W. Howat Jnr., A. JMcKenzie. Iki the general discussion it was tiecided to empower the Social Committee to take immediate steps; to draw up a programme of 'Goodwill Inglesides' for the forthcoming year, with the probability of commencing with Thornton on January 20. Details will be announced later.