WELLINGTON CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5196, 16 November 1877, Page 6

WELLINGTON CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Caledonian Society was held on October 22nd at the NewZealander Hotel. The following gentlemen were present : —Mr. George Crawford (in the chair), and Messrs. J. Martin, J. H. Bethune, J. S. M. Thompson, G. S. Sellars, J. Eenton, and T. McDonald. Owing to the paucity of attendance, many members of the society beinor unavoidably absent through their engagements elsewhere, it was decided to postpone the election of directors and office-bearers till a future meeting, to be held on Monday next. The balance-sheet was read and adopted. It showed that the receipts for the past year amounted to £426 15s. Id., and the disbursements to £413 ss. 9d., leaving a balance in hand of £l3 9s. 4d. However, it must be borne in mind that the society is indebted to Mr. George Crawford in the amount of £52 for an advance to the society by that gentleman two years ago. The following report was read by Mr. ICerby, the secretary, and adopted :

“In presenting the annual report and balance-sheet, the directors again wish to draw special attention to the success achieved by this society during the past year, and trust that the combined efforts on the part of members generally may still increase the .operations of the society year by year-, the benefits of which must be appreciated by all who engage in athletic sports. The last annual gathering of the society fully proves the appreciation by the public of the efforts of the directors in providing good amusement by offering very liberal prizes for competition. The largo sum of £2ll 12s. 7d. was taken at the gate and stand • —a considerable increase over the preceding year, when the programme occupied two days, A sum of £34 has been spent, during the recess from the last general meeting, on the ground and grand stand, which is now in good order, aud the stand still in charge of a trustworthy custodian. The water service has been laid to the grand stand by the City Council free of all charges, and the thanks of this society are due to the Council for its liberality. The directors regret a falling off of members during the year, but hope that many new ones will be introduced during the ensuing year, and thus promote the interest and advancement of the Caledonian Society. The directors aud office-bearers now retire from office, but all are eligible for re-election.”

The adjourned annual meeting of the Caledonian Society was held on the 29th October at the New Zealander Hotel, Mr. E. J. Duncan in the chair.

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and adopted,

The Chairman stated that the business of the evening was to elect office-bearers for the ensuing year. The society was indebted to the Corporation for the assistance which had been rendered in improving the ground by planting shrubs and forming the walks. The society was also grateful to Mr. C. O’Neill for his aid in superintending the improvements. He trusted that the society would shortly be in a position to contribute towards keeping the ground in order. The following gentlemen were elected members of the society:—Messrs. O. O’Neill, J. Bussell, G. E. Barton, Tolhurst, Eeid, McDonald, Mills, and J. Sawers. The following members were elected directors for the ensuing year : —Mr. E. Pearce, M.H.K., Mr. G-. Hunter, M.H.R., Mr. J. S. M. Thomson, Mr. G. S. Sellar, Captain Sellar, Mr. J. Dransfield, Mr. B. J. Duncan, Mr. T. McKenzie, Mr. A. Young, Mr. J. H. Pollock, Mr. H. Mace, Dr. Diver, Mr. J. Lookie, Mr. J. H. Bethuue, Mr. J. Martin, Mr. R. Greenfield, Mr. McTavish, Mr. Reid, Mr.’ E. W. Mills, Mr. Tohun -t. Mr. T. McKenzie proposed Mr. George Crawford as President of the Society ; seconded by Mr. J. S. M. Thompson, and carried unanimously.

Mr. Crawford, in taking the chair, returned thanks, saying that he would endeavor to his duty for his term of office, and trusted all others connected with the society would do likewise.

Mr. Bethune proposed, and Mr. Duncan seconded, —That Mr. Buchanan be VicePresident of the Society.—Carried unanimously. It was proposed by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. McTavish, and carried, that Captain Mclntyre be treasurer for the ensuing year. Mr. McKenzie proposed that Mr. Kerby be secretary of the society. Seconded by Mr. Bethune, and carried, the Chuirman paying a a high compliment to Mr. Kerby for the efficient manner in which he had discharged his duties in the past. On the motion of Mr. Dransfield, seconded by Mr. Young, Mr. S. Levy was appointed collector. Messrs. McTavish aud -Sawers were elected auditors.

The following were appointed a committee to draw up the programme of sports:—Messrs. Pollock, Lockie, Buchanan, McKenzie, Mace, Young, Bethune, Thompson, and Eeid. Mr. Eeid said, on looking over the programme of last ‘ year, he found there was almost an absence of really national Scottish games. There were about a dozen races on the programme, and he would suggest that some of them should be left out, and that there should be inserted in their stead such games as quoits, tossing the caber, &c.

Mr. Lockie said it had been found difficult in past years to find competitors in the Scottish games, and the society had been com polled to abandon them. A slight discussion ensued, and there was a general expression of opinion that a few Scottish games should be inserted in the programme.

Mr. CiiAWKOIU) stated that for some years past there had been a misunderstanding between tile Caledonian Society and thecrlcketers; buthe thought the misuuderstandingwas'chiefly on the part of the latter. They had got the use of the grand stand so long that they began to think that they had got an interest in it. The cricketers were given notice twelve months ago to remove all their gear from the grand stand. That had not been done, and the society had not even got thanks. When new locks were put on duplicate keys were used or the locks were broken. He thought it was time an arrangement should be made with the cricketers. The President, and Messrs. Buchanan, Lockie, and Young were appointed to confer with a committee of the cricketers. It was arranged that a committee to arrange the programme should meet on next Monday week. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.