THE CALEDONIAN MEETING.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3392, 23 January 1920, Page 5

THE CALEDONIAN MEETING.

MOST ENTHUSIASTIC AFFAIR.

A CALEDONIAN SOCIETY FORMED

In I~esponse"i‘6an'* advertisement pub. lished by Mr VP. McLenlian sometfifty enthusiasts met in the supper room of the Town Hall to consider need. for the existence of a Caledonian Society in this district. Mr W. McLennan was voted to the chair, and in ‘his opening remarks stated that the time was particularly opportune for the institution of a Caledonian Society. It was’ in the best interests of the rising generation that such societies should‘ be encouraged. There were urgent reasons why older people should foster and assist in organising sports, which tended to the best class of physical development. Caledonian sports werean extension of ordinary athletic gatherings .such as ‘wrestling, tossing the caber, putting the shot, throwing the hammer, and others, including dancing. All such" competitions brought out the best physically that was in any athlete. Since the subject of ‘the meeting ‘had been mooted, it had met with remarkable support, for already £l2O had , been promised towards the funds; an ’ indication that financial support would not be lacking. After brief discussion, it was unanimously resolved to form an association, to be called‘ the Taihape and District Caledonian Association.

The following oflicers were then elect-ed: Patron, W. S. , Glenn, Esq., M.P.; president, Mr W. McLennan; vice-presidents, Messrs W. M. McCombie, P. E. Wakeman, D. Scott,‘ S. Powell, J. Munro, and J. Gilchrist; secretary F. Marlow; tneasurer, A. L. Arrowsmith. The following were elect»ed a~ committee of management: Messrs D. J. McLennan, J. F. Menzies, Geo. Wrightson‘, D. McKay, P. ~'B'a.tley, D_ Addis, J. McColl, A. McColl, °G. Forbes, J. Gillies, J. Quirk. F. Swindells, J.- Munro, D. McDonald, J. Mort]and, J. Whani, W. Howens, S. Dunbar, -—‘— McKenzie, and D. Dattverson. __ As an instance of the prevailing enthusiasm, there were no less than sixteen nominations for six viee-presi-dents. Mr Glenn, M.P., and‘ Mr A. L. Arrowsmith then came in and were promptly appointed scrutineers. ‘Mr Glenn thanked the meeting for electing him patron of the new society, not only for -the honour they were conferring on him, but also because he was only too pleased and too willing to assist such an association as best he could. He said that he had been rather a keen athlete in former days, and he was glad an opportunity had been given him to assist in furthering ‘the interests of‘ sport in the Taihapev “district, and he concluded by sincerely wishing the newly-formed Caledonian Society the utmost success. The President said it would .be necessary to ‘decide upon What date the first Taihape Caledonian gathering should take place; he thought that if satisfactory arrangements could be made with Agricultural and Pastoral Show Committee. the {day after the Show would be very suitable. Con-

tinuing, the Chairman said then; were several Highland dancers from the South Island now touring‘ the North Island, and were competing at the various Caledonian sports meetings. 'He thought it very probable that the day aft-er the A and P. Show would suit these travelling da.ncel's', as it was a free day for them. -

‘lt was finally decided to leave the selection of :1. date for the first gathering, also fhe drawing up of a programme fo the committee.

Ineidenta.ll_v as discussion cropped up as to whether amateur events should be included in the programme. The President favoured the suggestion that all should. be professional, stating ‘that there was not sufficient amateurs in the district to make amat-eur events

a success. Mr Glenn thought amateurs shouid be encouraged. He said that during his athletic. career he had made more friends amongst amateur competitors than amongst professionals. He corn’- { tended that amateur events had the tendency to keep sport: cleaner in every way. Mr Brod-ie also spoke in favour of having events for amateurs on the programme. ' On the subject. being put in thetform of a resolution, the meetingpdecided there should be two events on the programme purely for amateurs. The Chairman said this finished the business of the meeting, but before closing, he hoped that all present would do their very utmost to further the interests of the Associatoin, and i make the first gathering a great suc. .cess. He informed‘ the meeting that the New Zealand C'aled‘onian Society ‘were going to engageteachers of dancing, and also instructors in bagpipe playing, from Scotland. These teachers were to be stationed in suitable cent:-és throughout the Dominion, and L fire hoped that the Taihape‘ and Dis~tric.t « Association would be strong enough to warrant one of the Scottish experts being placed in this district. Mr MsLennan also stayed that the Wanganui 6-xipe Bandwoubbo available for the téports, if held off the day ‘proposed; r the band;eonlr]bals.o'he got for the day

of the A. and P. _Show. -He stated -that the membership fee of 5/ would en, title the holder to admittance to any Caled'onian sports gathlering held in New Zealand. ‘ Mr Brodie, who is a member of the Wanganui C-aledonian Society, im_ proved upon the Presidentgs remark by info}-nlling the meeting that the five; ghilling ticket would introduce the

A most enthusiastic meeting then closed with the usual vote of thanks to the chair. .

Apologies for non-attendance were received from the Mayor (Mr A J. Joblin), Mr J. F. Menzies (Town Clerk), and Mr Jameson (Borough Foreman), all of whom were engaged at a Berough Council meeting.