SCOTTISH SOCIETY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 37, 26 January 1912, Page 5

SCOTTISH SOCIETY.

SUCCESSFUL FORMATION OF TARANAKI BODY.

EN THUS! ASTIC PROCEEDING S. One of the chief objects of tha gathering of Scotsmen from all parts of Taranaki in; .Stratford last night was to form a Scottish Society. . , Before calling on any of the'gentlemen present to move a motion to that effect, the Chairman (Mr. W. L. Kennedy) called on “Our honoured secretary (Mr. Alec. Henderson) to give them an outline of the objects of such a society, who gave the following outline of the scheme;—

The name of the Society to be the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society. Objects: Promotion of Scottish literature and social intercourse. By literature, to procure authoritative works on Scottish history and poetry, and to have periodical literary gatherings, where papers may be read, and discussions on the various subjects indulged in. By social intercourse, to promote among Scottish people and people of Scottish descent, such gatherings as the Society may from time to time determine. The annual fee to be fixed at 2s Gd. Office-bearers to consist of a president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary. There shall be an executvc committee consisting of twenty members of the Society, all to bo elected at the annual general meeting. “These, gentlemen,” said Mr. Henderson, “are the rough outlines of our proposed Society. There may be many ideas added to our modest aspirations, but these will come when we get under way. It may appear to some that in a widely scattered district such as this, our ideas will be unworkable, but we have taken this obstacle into consideration, and propose that each district has its own literary and social gatherings, and that provincial gatherings be neld in the various centres, on dates which may be thought suitable by the executive. For this purpose we shall endeavour to have a vice-pre-sident in each district. The provincial gatherings may be held to do honour to Scotia’s most illustrious sons, or on the anniversaries of her greatest historical events.

Looking into the future, we may be able to add several other objects, such as the promotion of benevolence and education. In fact, it has been suggested to-night by several gentlemen that a scholarship fund might be raised. The future of the Society, if formed, lies entirely with yourselves. ■lf you join it, do so with a determination to work.”

A motion was then proposed that a, Scottish Society be formed herewith, and this was carried unanimously. The following officers were then duly elected: —President, Mr. W. L. Kennedy; vice-presidents, Messrs.' A. F. Grant (Hawera), G. Sangster (Stratford), J. McLeod (New Plymouth), Morton (Inglewood), J. Grant (Hawera), 11. Larnbie, son. (Pihama), 11. McK. Morison (Stratford), J. Thompson (Ngaire), 1). S. Glasgow (Stratford), T. A. Lees (Toko), \V. N. Ewing (New Plymouth), W. Hood (Inglewood), and Barr (Eltham); secretary, Mr. Alec. Henderson; treasurer, Mr. F. H. Wilkie; committee, Messrs. A. W. Reid, A. Mclntosh, J. McAllister,, J. McCluggage, J. Petrie, H. Cameron, and D. Butchart.

The committee have power to add to their number, and it was thought better _to have a small local committee to obviate the great deal of travelling that would be necessary for men to travel from all parts of the province to attend the many meetings that will be necessary to get the Society in working order. The present committee will bo really a nucleus, and will later be made representative of the whole province. ,

During the evening the secretary was busily engaged in securing the names of intending members, i