WESTLAND COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1931, Page 2

WESTLAND COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING. , The adjourned annual meeting of the Society was held at the County Cham.bers at 4.30 o’clock yesterday afternoon. There were present:—Mr D. J. Evan's (President), Mrs At. McG&vin, Revs. Knowles/Smith-and Knights, hessrs H. A. Stapleton, R. Lynn, H. Osmers, W. iE. Richards, T. W, Duff, E. W. Heenan. Apologies for absence were received from Miss Duff and 'Mr Sweney. Mr Osmers (Hon. £ec.) read the following : ANNUAL REPORT. I have the. honour to present the following report for the 1931- season ; The general depression ivas reflected iu nhe falling off. of entries 'fin'd of receipts for the year. Entries totalled 449 as compared with over 500 for 1930. Tile dancing sections proved most popular, drawing 145 entries in 20 items. * This section was also very popular with the public and should, I think, be encouraged as far os possible. Miss M. Waugh again acted as Adjudicator. Mr Barton Ginger was replaced as Adjudicator of the Elocutionary Sections by Mr Byron Brown, and Mr .Ginger has .arranged to' adjudicate for the Society’s 1932 festival. We ane indebted to Mr Ginger, for his donations of' £2 2s and £1 Is for Elocutionary Sections : To 'Mrs Nelson Wright for donation of a Cup i To Miss Adria Bush for donation of a handsome challenge Cup, This last trophy was not awarded in 1931 owing to no competitors qualifying for same. Mr A. Liliy again adjudicated : very capably in the Musical Sections which, however, were most disappointing v.-:fl regard to entries in many items. The Society awarded two special prizes of £2 2s each in the Juvenile instrumental sections. We have indeed been fortunate in our choice of adjudicators, who have proved moeit capable and helpful, and whose fees have been really nominal. FINANCE. Expenditure: Expenditure incurred for the year was reduced to a minimum, being £195 compared with £2lB for 1930. Prize money was reduced by depleting; and combining several sections, and by virtue of dlause 6 of the General Conditions. , 7 <•

Considering the stage at which the Society, has now arrived, it is practically impossible to reduce other.expenditure. It *is essential that both programmes and Book of Words be printed, and these two items together with the printing of the necessary award sheet tftc.; ‘ comprise one quarter of the total expenditure. Furthermore it cannot be .expected that 'the (Society will always be able to obtain such reasonable adjudicating (fees-

( . Receipts Several contributing members'.failed, to renew thejr subscriptions for 1931, and attfmpts., to increase the uuipber of members were unsuccessful. ; Door receipts were fair, but did not come up to expectations, It would seem that this avenue must be relied upon to secure -the greatest part of the revenue, .and 1 , the submission of -the most attractive prograanmee possible, is therefore nebessary. -. This, ; however, relies entirely upon the entries received.

It is pleasing to note that the Greyinonth Society’s festival met with success, and fit; is to be hoped that this will be reflected again also in our next session, .

The balance sheet for' the year was also'read, supplying details of the receipts and expenditure. The net result showed that the Society opened with a credit balance of £l5O, and closed with $ -credit balance of £lO7, showing a decline of £43 for /the year.—Received. • The .President moved the adoption of the; report and balance sheet, and in doing -so referred to the good work done by many ardent supporters, to whom their best thanks were due. On the whole, he said, the financial position should give satisfaation, and the funds in hand would give him the assurance to cany on the work of the Society. They had the knowledge that several of the young people had -shown considerable advance, and had excelled not only in their own town but also outside. That was a reward which was very gratifying to (the members. Reference was again made to the good work of the Committee in carrying through the work of the year, and to the results achieved in' adverse times. :i .Rev. Knowles Smith seconded the motion which was adopted on the voices. ejection-of officers. Patrons: M-essrs G. A. Perry (Mayor) and J. O’Brien, M.P. President: Mr D. J. Evans. Vice-Presidents : Revs. Knowles Smith Knjghts, Naylor' and Father Finerty, Messrs T. E. Y. Seddon and H. M. •Coulson.

In accepting office Rev. Knowles Smith said it was not probable that he would be here for the next festival, he expected to be leaving in April. Probably h;s successor would be elected bo (take his place. The President referred to the splendid help given by. Mr -Smith and to the fact .that he would be missed greatly..' While it was passible to retain his services indefinitely, they were ail indebted to him for (the generous way in which he had helped, and hoped also to have his successor as an ardent worker in the future.

Hon. -Secretary : Mr H. Osmers. Assistant Secretary : Mr H. Thiele. Treasurer: Mr J. Conning. Committee: Miss Duff, Mrs M- McGavin, Messrs Lynn, Menzies, Richards, -Duff,, Coles, . Sweney, Stapleton, Heenan and Brown. Official accompaniste : Miss E. Daly, A.TjC.L. ..