CALEDONIAN YEAR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 39, 12 January 1945, Page 6

CALEDONIAN YEAR

SOCIETY'S ACTIVITIES

A PROGRESSIVE ORGANISATION

The following.jinnuii l report was given by Mr W. J. Chief of the Wha'katanc Caledonian Soc;ety? recentlj* at the annual ing:—Ladies and Gentlemen. Once aga'in I have in presenting you with my annual report covering as near as possible the activities of the Society throughout the past, event.ful year of 1944. I feel that I can safely say that it has been a successful one, in which we have once again departed from our routine by initiating several progressive steps towards establishing our Society and of increasing our membership. I refer mainly to the formation of the Young People's which I think has beeii a very forward move reflecting the greatest credit upon its sponsors, In other respects we have been able to hold our own though our activities have been curtailed somewhat owing to the inevitable effect of war restrictions. Broadly speaking however I feel that we can congratulate, ourselves on our continued progress in most difficult times. Metnbersiiip: We have maintained our ordinary membership at eighty. This figure which pleasing enough in -has been augmented by the addition of some eighty new members from the Young People's Club. Though it may be argued that these members are under a somewhat, different category t yet thej' tome under the Society, and arc therefore

part of it. Financial: Our finances arc healthy and sound. After paying out ,£IOO for repaint'ing the we still nJtflifi; a credit balance, of' approximately £80. This is to lie appreciated for the revenue fi'om Inglesides this year has been of the. poorest on record. The total from this source was £18 18s (id a drop of something like £56 on last year's figures. This feature of our activities! must be. reorganised and carefully bu'ilt up if \ve are to rely upon it as a source of income, The Band: During the year the Senior Baud though active enough when the year commenced has for various reasons fallen off considerably towards, the end. Parades however have been headed recently by the Junior Pipe Band which has in a large measure replaced the senior organisation. 1 appreciate the difficulties' of the older [players and in thanking them for their loyal services in the past I feel that I can welcome the Junior Band and extend to them the Society's appreciation of the. manner in w-h'ich they have come to the fore. Once again I must thank Messrs D. Pateison and W. Howat Jn. for their work in training the boys. New pipe sets are on order and we hope before long to have all players uniformed and properly equipped.

Craigellachie Scouts: I would like to compliment the Scoutmaster Mr C. F. Thomas on tlie continued efficiency and success of the Society's troop. The boys once again captured the 'Tiki' trophy for ambulance work at the Tauranga Rally ? and recently we had the pleasure of seeing three members made King Scouts at a combined evening. Painting of Hall: This long-need-ed work was carried out recently Avith most beneficial results. Though the cost ran into three figures I feel I can confidently say that the result was in every way Avell worth it. The hall and shop frontages are now* grealh' improved and from the Society's point of view the asset has been substantially increased. Young People's Club: 1 have referred to this organisation previously but 1 feel that no passing reference can do it justice. Here we have created in the Society a movement which has commended itself to the community as a whole. Young people between the ages of 11 and . 18 years may join, the club for a fee of half a crown and the •y organisation which they support is run ahnost entirely by themselves. Social evenings are held fortnightly, and have proved to be greatly successful. The club has won for it-< self a very fine reputation wlflc.h is at once an advertisement for the Society and an asset to the town. I' congratulate Messrs C. F. Thomas and W. G. the promoters on their wor'k ( I would like to recommend to them that where ptssible during the coming year Scottish traditions talks and evenings should be organised. Only in this way can we hope to 'instil in the younger members the ideals for wJmii we are all aiming. r i hanks: May I express my thanks and appreciation to all those who have stood by r,u- during tin- past year. It has not been an easy year

for any of and yet as I look round I see that I must extend my appreciation to most of the same old toilers' who have stood by this Society through thick and thin. I would like to thank the ladies of the Society for their unselfish work at all socials, the secretary for his services the orchestra for the man--9 ner in which they have supported us through the year, the Mr King for his care and interest in the Society's and lastly all the members of my executive for their loyalty and appreciation.

New Year's Sports: The setting up of a New Year's Sports Committee is another innovation which we are hoping will still further spread our interests and build up our funds. This venture wilt be held at Qhope Beach on New Year's and it. is hoped will become a permanent annual fixture. Prize money amounting to £55 has been allocated, and already the event has been given wide publicity. .We have a livewire secretary in Mr W. Hurst ? and I appeal to all members to co-operate with him to the utmost in making the day something of which all can lie proud of*

In passing: Our ran'ks have been, thinned by the passing on of two* widely respected piembers in the persons of Messrs R. Fraser and F. McLennan. As members and workers they will always be remembered by those who knew them well and valued their friendship.

Prospects: In deafng with the prospects of the New* I feel that. I' must address a few words to the older members of the Society. }Vc have in the past been most successful in all our Undertak'ings. We have pulled well together and worked in a way which has made our Society the envy of the town and district. I have a feeling that it is time for us to be drawn more close- 1 !y together than we have been in the pc\st t There appears to me to be a definite weakening of and T appeal most strongly to all members to rally round in these crucial days of testing and difficulty. Only by working as a band, can we maintain our Society and spread our interests. There is no doubt but that the year ahead will again be ari unsettled anci difficult We have still a long way to go before, we have AVliJed off otlr indebtedness on the liallj "whilst there is also a big programme of further improvements. We have been fortunate in enlisting a growing number of new members, but it is to the older members of the Society that these will look for guidance and. example. We. cannot let these young people down and therefore I am concluding my address by appealing to those who have already en- 1 joyed the benefit of our fellowship to stand by whilst it 'is extended to others j and to take their part in extending it.