CALEDONIAN SOCIETY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 16, 19 October 1945, Page 5

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY

RECORD OF PROGRESS CHIEF'S ANNUAL REPORT The following is a resume ol' the report read by Chief J. W. Simons at the annual meeting of the Whakatane Caledonian Society held on Monday evening:— "The past year " he said, "lias been a momentous one in which the Society has continued to progress and gain wide popularity. Our greatest individual effort was the establishment of the New Year's DaySports which proved to be an unqualified success. We have also consolidated the Junior Pipe Band anjd recently the, executive had the pleasure of taking them on a tour of the East Coast. Generally speaking we have carried 011 with our round of activities and preserved as near as we have been able to 5 the traditions for which we stand. "Our standing membership has been maintained, and I am pleased to be able to report that our finances are in a sound condition. The Pipe Band "The Society's band has practically ceased to exist owing to the transfer from the district ol' many of our players. The liow-j ever has been met by the Junior Band which has attained a high standard of excellence. During the year, four new sets of pipes and two drums have been purchased.

"The Junior liand was taken on a tour of the East Coast. This was a very successful trip aijd the Society profited both financially and from the point of view of one of the finest advertisements it has had. "Following the creation of the Junior Pipe Band it was deemed advisable to disband the Craigellachie Scout Troop. This troop did well under S.M. C. F. Thomas, and acquitted itself with distinction at the Easter Scout Rally. "During the year, three' teachers of Highland Dancing have been active in Whakatane. I would like to appeal for someone to travel to lMlgccumbe where there are a large number of pupils available lor instruction . Social Activities "The New Year Sports were a remarkable success, and netted a prolit of no less than £121 14.s 7d. As a first venture it was outstanding. This year we aim at doing even better. We. have applied for full affiliation with the South Auckland taping and Dancing Centre which will enable us to run Dominion and North Island Highland Championships. "The Young Caledonian Club, although its membership is not as great as in the- past < has. carried out a full programme of activities. "As previously agreed ' upon, a sub.committc.c has arranged a programme for a lull-dress Plallo'een evening to take place on Saturday, November 5. The niglit is a 'raditional one and never been ore-

sented before in the Bay of Plenty. "Since the taking over of the Wintor Show Buildings . our hall has become a valued asset to the town and district. It has been in great demand and we have endeavoured to accommodate whenever we could. I am suggesting to the incoming committee that the present stage be lowered to floor level. This would' give a 30ft extension to the present building and provision could then be made for a permanent stage at the end of the building. "The Society has also endeavoured to co-operate wi + h tlie jjatriotic activities of the town wherever possible. It has l'un one dance for Patriotic Funds, and has made a donation. "In conclusion, I desire to express* my thanks to the who have helped us Willingly in all our '"ftivities, our secretary, Mr W. Tlurst, and all members who have helped in other directions. "We have been Jortunate in ferrying on our activities over the difficult war years. We can make even greater headway now that many of the restrictions are about to be lifted. It will not be long oefore we will be welcoming the last of our members home from overseas and to those who made the supreme sacrifice, I trust we will soon be considering a suitable memorial tribute to their memory. "I am proud to be able to j.oint to the Society's record of service and I know that the future will afford us opportunities of carrying on

the good work of service and na_ tional Scottish jrestige for w?iich wo have been so well known in the past."