THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4, 9 May 1913, Page 3

THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society was held yesterday afternoon, when the duel (Mr \V. L. Kennedy) presided over art attendance of some thirty ladies and gentlemen, members of the Society. Apologies were received from Messrs J. Davidson (Hawera) and Hood (Inglewood). PRESIDENT’S REPORT. I have pleasure in submitting to you the first annual report and balance sheet, and my thanks are hereby tendered to my fellow office-bearers and to the individual members of the Society who have so "loyally assisted in bringing the Society to its present satisfactory state. The past year baa been one of solid progress, ab the office-bearers working most harmoniously together with the one object of advancing the Society. The membership of the Society now stands at 301, every member of the Society will cordially agree that this is a most satisfactory position to ho in for one year’s working. A gathering was held by the Society in May last, which proved a great success in every way, and I wish to convey ray thanks to our energetic lady members and their friends for their magnificent work in connection with this function. Four new branches of the Society have been formed during tfi'e past year, namely, aia; the Toko, Inglewood and Manaia aia, the Toko, Inglewood and Manaia branches had each a. very successful opening function. Unfortunately, the rules of the Society did not make due provision for the status of these branches, and this fact has to a certain extent militated against the activities of the branches. I trust,

however, that the rules will ho amended in such a manner that no difficulty will bo experienced in the future conduct of the Society. lam pleased to report that the Society has decided to do something for the encouragement of the study of Scottish history in tho schools of Taranaki, by offering prizes for tho host essay on “Sir William Wallace, his Life and Times,” tho arrangements for carrying out this programme are well in hand. I am pleased to report that if the arrangements with the Taranaki Pipe Band are brought to a successful issue (and I have every reason to think they will), this. Society will have, in a few months time, an up-to-date pipe band*. Tho Marquis of Ailsa has been .graciously pleased to accept the patronage of the Society. His Lordship' has always; manifested a keen

interest in Scots in exile. He has held <the presidency of the London Ayrshire Scottish:, Society, and his sqn,, the Eaf] jof Cassillis, as president jdiis yea,r,, made a .capital, opening speech at. the Society Burns’ supper. In connection with the balance sheet, I would like to say that taking into consideration the fact that the expenditure has been necessarily high, owing to tho great volume of organisation work which always attend a society’s opening year, we have every reason to congratulate, ourselves on the result: While on this subject, I may I 'say that tho Executive have come to the conclusion that the annual subscription for gentlemen is ridiculously inadequate for the successful conduct of a society like ours, and they 1 recommend to you that it lio fixed at 5s per annum. You will ho called upon at this, the annual

general meeting, in compliance with the Society’s rules to elect a Chief, Chieftains, Executive Committee, Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor. The thanks of the Society is due to Mr C. H. Croker, our honorary solicitor, who gave us much valuable assistance in drawing up the rules. The annual general meeting is the proper time for every member who has the interests of the Society at heart to bring forward for discussion any suggestion which may be of service. I desire to take this opportunity of urging on all branches of the Society the necessity of using their best endeavours to lay before every Scot in their districts who is not yet a member the claims of the Society, and the necessity of their joining, and so further streng-

then the bonds of union and good fellowship. Our aims are a high one, and to carry them out we require the active assistance, personally, and financially, of ail who claim kinship with “bonnie Scotland.” We profess to bo patriotic, let us rise to the occasion, and evidence by our actions that wo are so. In conclusion, J desire to thank you for the valuable suport and assistance so loyally rendered to me during the past year, and which has made my term of office »a very pleasant memory, and especially do I wish to tender my best thanks to our secretary, Mr A. Henderson, to whom the Society owes much, and I am deeply sorry that he has had to sever his connection with us, and trust that ho may yet, do much for us on the staff of tin “X.Z. Scot.”.—l remain, yours etc. w. McLalghlix kexxedy)

Chief. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £ll 14s sd. Mr R. McK. Morison moved the adoption of the report and balancesheet, the motion being seconded by Mr H. Cameron and adopted. The secretary (Mr Alex. Henderson) moved: “That rule 5 be deleted, and , the following rule substituted:—The affairs of the Society shall be rnan-

v aged by a committee hereinafter to lie called the Executive, consisting of a the Chief, Chieftains, and a. representative for each fifty members or part thereof of each branch, five to form a quorum. The chief chieftains shall be elected at the annual general meeting. The representatives of the branches shall he elected by their own

I branch at least one month after the date of the annual meeting. If a branch fails to elect its representative within the prescribed time, the Executive may appoint the necessary members to represent the branch. Retiring members shall be eligible tor reelection. Branches of the Society may be formed on application being made to the Executive, without whose authority the name of the Society may not lie used. Each branch shall manage its own affairs within the district under its jurisdiction, but at all times to be under the’ control of the Executive. Branches shall collect subscriptions from ite members and remit to the Executive secretary the proportion due to the Executive Society, together with a list of members. Branch office bearers shall consist of President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and a Committee of ten members.”

The Chairman in seconding the motion, said that it must he apparent to all that some alterations should he made to the rules on these lines. The suggestion thrown out here could, he thought, hardly be improved upon Mr R. McK. Morison supported the proposal, but would very much like to hear expressions of approval from outside members.

Mr Todd (Inglewood) stated that the alteration appeared to suit them very well. The motion was then carried unani raously.

The question of finance was gone into, and Mr George Young (Inglewood) stated that his branch had passed a resolution in favour of allocating one shilling out of every os subscription to the Society, the remaining four shillings to go to the Branch.

The Secretary pointed out that the funds of the Executive on this basis would be ridiculously small. Mr George Young said that personally ho did not approve of the decision of the Branch, of which he was vice-president, but members were very decided on that point, and even mentioned retiring from the Society if their decision was not agreed to. Mr Mori son said that Inglewood could have no power to dictate on this matter; all they could do was to send a delegate to the annual meeting, and move a recommendation. Mr Murray, speaking of southern branches, said that tAvo shillings to the Society was recommended by them. Mr Sangster moved'that two-fifths of the subscriptions be voted to the Society. Mr F. W. Wilkie seconded the motion, which was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The Secretary (Mr A. Henderson) moved that Chief Kennedy be re-elect-ed to this important position. It had been' always understood, he said, that changes in officers would be made every year 1 , and thattOffi'certainly a good thing. But, owing' to the fact that the Society was only really in formation, he thought it would be a wise thing to appoint Dir Kennedy for another year, because by the end of that year they would probably find that the foundations of the Society were properly laid. Mr Kennedy at first declined, - but Ids refusal of the position brought forth protests from Messrs Morison, Sangster and Grant, all ol whom urged Mr Kennedy to again take office. Finally Mr Kennedy was duly elected Chief, the motion being carried amidst applause.

Other officers elected were; — | Chieftains: Messrs A. F. Grant, G. Sangster, John Petrie, J. Davidson, James Grant, 11. McK. Morison, D. Todd, W. Murray, T. A. Lees, D. S .Glasgow, R. Larnbie, G. Young, J. B. Campbell, A. W. Reid, J. McX. Adams, and A. Morton; secretary and treasurer, Mr D. Butchart; hon. auditor, Mr F. W. Wilkie. A vote of thanks and an honorarium were accorded the honorary auditor, the latter being donated by Mr Wilkie to the funds of the Society. ,A presentation to the retiring secretary (which is reported elsewhere) and a vote of thanks to the Chief, concluded the meeting, which broke up to the music of the pipes, plkyed by Pipers Mather and Douglas.