SUCCESSFUL YEAR

Chronicle (Levin), 8 April 1947, Page 4

SUCCESSFUL YEAR

SCOTTISH SOCIETY HAS WELLATTENDED MEETING From the point of view of interest the most successful annual meeting of the Horowhenua Scottish Society and Highland Band ever held took place recently in the bandroom, when over 50 members attended. ' Before commencing the business, the cliief, Mr. N. M. Thomson, welcomed all present and said how pleased he was to see such a large gathering. Mr. Thomson then presented his annual report, which read (inter alia) as follows: — "In reviewing the society's activities for the past twelve months I am happy to record a year of steady and solid achievement. Your band, under the capable tuition of Pipe Major Yorston, and under the skilful leadership of its officers, has earned for itself and the society a high reputation in the community, both from the point of view of its undoubted ability as a band and from the point of view of the conduct of members generally and their . ever-ready willingness to assist in public- functions. The society is proud of its band's efforts at the provincial championship meeting at Napier, and congratuls-tes Pipe-Major Yorston, the officers and' men on their excellent showhig. "During the year the dhiform appeal was continued and the amount collected increased by a further £217 4s 9d, making a total in the fund at the end of the year of £515' 4s 5d * "The usual Inglesides and other functions were held, and I thihk these fulfilled their function of catering for the members of the society generally, and in the fostering of Scottish tradition amongst the residerits of Levin and district. Among a number of helpful suggestions made for the improvement of Inglesides has been a request that these be made more traditional, and I would recommend that the incoming committee give this matter their attehtion."I desire to place on record the debt which the society owes to its

secretary, Mr. J. A. Goodwin, and to its minute-secretary, Miss N. Fletcher, both of whom have devoted a considerable amount of time to the aociety's work. I valso record the society's thanks to that ever helpful- and patient band of ladies and gentlemen, who for years now have never failed to assist in the organisation of .the Inglesides and dances." In the band's annual report, the secretary, Mr. H. Pickering, reported that the past vear had been the most successful to date for the band. Altogether -it had attended a total of 108 practices and 50 parades during the year. The band had played at the marching championships at Pahiatua, and had provided the music for 18 of the 26 teams competing. Mr. L Carmichael, who had been granted leave of absence, had now returned to duty as drummajor. The band also voiced its grateful appreciation oiTthe work done by Mr. M. Kehoe, who had attend'ed the pre-contest practices to coach in band conteSf work. The success at Napier had been due largely to Mr. Kehoe's efforts. Electioh of Officers The officers elected for the ensuing year were as follows: — Chief: Mr. J. R. Macfarlame; chieftains: Messrs. T. R. Hall and L. Carmichael; secretary: Mr. J. A. Goodwin; minute secretary: Miss N. Fletcher; general committee: Mesdames E. Symonds, F. Fletcher E. R. Mclntyre and R. Young, Miss J. Munro and Messrs. W. R. Jack, A. Dobson, M. Wright and R. Mackenzie; hon. auditor: Mr. H. A. Robertson. * . Appreciation of. the work of the past chief, Mr/ N. M. Thomson,

who did not seek re-election, was recorded by the society. Several spe&kefs eulogised the work of Mr. Thomson and said the society owed him a debt of gratitude for his service and the progress it had made u'nder his guidance. The work of Mr. E. R. Mclntyre was also recorded, he having been a Valuable Worker for the society and band since its inception in 1939.