TEMUKA CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1939, 5 September 1889, Page 3

TEMUKA CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING,

The first general meeting of the members of the Caledonian Society was held last night at the Crown Hotel, Temuka. There was a large attendance, the President, Mr A. M. Clark, occupying the chair. The minutes of the previous annual meeting were read and confirmed, after which the chairman read the following report, and submitted the balancesheet : “ Gentlemen,—Your directors, in submitting their first annual report, desire to congratulate the members ®f the society f upon the success that has attended its promotion. Although instituted at a period of great depression, the movement was cordially appreciated by the public, and the applications to be placed on the members’ list were far more numerous than the most sanguine of its promoters hoped for. - The members now upon the roll number 143, including nine names handed in to be proposed at tho next meeting, and this number it is confidently expected will be largely increased. The first public gathering in connection with the society was a concert. The arrangements were entrusted to a sub-committee, nd their efforts were successful in every respect. The net proceeds from the concert amounted 'o £l7 10s SI, in spite of the very heavy expense necessarily entailed by bringing professional performers from a distance. In view of bringing the sports meeting to a successful issue, your directors arranged with the Alexandrovna Lodge of Oddfellows for their pre-emptive right to use the recreation ground on Boxing Day. The arrangement come to was to pay them the sura of £lO per annum for a term of four years. This arrangement is likely to be beneficial to all parties concerned ; it may fairly be considered that the money is well spent. Overtures were also made to the Temuka Park Board for assistance in laying down a proper track, but, with the exception of the expenditure on it of about £3, a sum totally inadequate for the purpose, that body could not see its way to accede to the suggestion made. Your directors, therefore, took tho matter in hand, and, by judicious employment of labor, succeeded, at the cost of about £ll, in preparing a very passable track. The privileges in connection with the sports were well competed for, and realised £3O 7s fid. £B2 9s was th® amount taken at the gates, and the uominalions and acceptances for tho events of a comprehensive programme amounted to £l9 14s. Money prizes te the amount of £BB 11s were given at this meeting, and this list was swelled by the donations of Messrs W. McLeod. J. M, Twonsey, J. Lawson, and Ward and Co., who each contributed a guinea for special prizes, while trophies were given by the presidents and Messrs Bower and Eergusson, G. and T. Young, and W. Chamberlain. Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, M.H.R., the patroa of the society, gave as a contribution to the general fund the sum of £5, for which he has the directors’ best thanks. The vice-president, Mr M. Quinn, has a very handsome flag which he will present to the society on the drst suitable occasion. It would have been presented at the last social gathering, but the artist misunderstood his instructions, and it was not completed iu time. Both from an athletic and financial point of view the meeting was eminently successful, but, more gratifying still, it tended to foster a very kindly feeling among all c'asses, and your directors confidently expect to see future gatherings even more successful. In view of currying out the aims of the society to the fullest extent your directors agreed to hold a number of Ing'eside meetings during the year, and appointed sub-committees to arrange the details in connection w : th the same. Two of these meetings have been held, and have proved most enjoyable. They were largely attended by members and their families, whose expressions of the pleasure derived thereat has been the cause of some 35 members joining tho society. These meetings have been self-supporting, which is all that was anticipated from them financially. The balance-sheet shows that during the year ending the 31st day of August, the total receipts from all sourpes to have been £238 19s 3d, and the expenditure £214 17s Bd, leaving a cash balance to the credit of the society of £24ls7d. The liabilities are nil. Several items of expenditure are not likely to occar again—such, for instance, as the heavy expenditure on the ground and the item’fbr the dancing-stand, hurdles, etc. In conclusion, your directors desire to tender their thanks to those who actively assisted at the different gatherings.” In moving the adoption of the report the President congraulated the_ society upon the successful results attending their efforts. He felt that the society had don* a great deal of good in promoting good fellowship, and had contributed largely to the enjoyment, not only of the members, but also of their wives and families. Mr Wareing had much pleasure in seconding the motion, which was parried unanimously, Mr M, Quinn moved a very hearty vote of thanks to the president for his services during the past year. It was owing largely to his exertions that the society was so numerically and financially strong.

The motion was carried with enthusiasm, and Mr Clark briefly returned tbanks. ELECTION OF OFPICEES. Mr Quinn moved—“ That Mr A. M, Clark be re-elected President. 1 ’ In doing so ke again referred to his valuable services. The motion was seconded by Mr A. K. Allan, and carried.

The President, in returning thunks, spoke ot some length upon the sports gathering, which all would admit huct been successful. In reference to the social gatherings ho urged the importance of paying due attention to (ho fair sex, wiihsut whose co-operation they could hardly hope to be successful With an American poet they might say—• Hoayen bless the wives, they fill the hiyos With little bees and honey ; They soothe life’s shocks, they mend the socks, But don’t they spend the money ! They met at these gatherings on common ground as New Zealanders. He hoped during tho current year that instructive evenings as well as social ones might be held. Papers, etc., could be read, and the interests of tho society promoted. He wished the society evory success, and exclaimed, with Burns: “ For a’ that, and a’ that, Its coming yet for a’ that, When man to man the world o’er Shall brothers bo for a’ that.” The president’s remarks were loudly applauded. In accordance with the rules Messrs Guild, Fraser, Bryne, J. McLeod and Gray retirad, and Messrs Scanned, Grant, Waddell, and Ackroyd, and Dr Hayes were ballotted off.

Eighteen nominations were received for tho ten positions vacant on the directorate, and the following gentlemen were elected : —Messrs P. McCaskill, J. Cunningham, E, S. Smith, A. Grant, W. Ackroyd, M, S(tanned, J. Anglaml, E. Wadded, T. Gunnion, and E. Lee, ALTURAJIONS OF RULES. Mr Clark moved—“ That-the Prssident be not allowed to hold office two years in succession.”— The motion lapsed for want of a seconder.

Rule 3 was altered lo allow members to bring to sports meetings all members of their families under the ago of fifteen. in accordance with Rule 14, Messrs A. M, Clark, 0. Henry, and k. R. Allan were elected trustees.

Rule 22 was amended, and the close of the financial year was fixed as seven clear days before the date of the annual meeting. Rule 8 was altered to read "That at each annual meeting the directors as a body shall retire, but shall be eligib'a for re-election.” The following addition was made to Rule 8, respecting amounts over 20s paid by cheque —“ This shall not necessarily apply to prize money paid on the ground,” NEW MEMBERS, Mestra VY. Deßenzy, J. B. Wareing, T. JB, Early, B. Cochran, 0. Cathro, and R. White were elected members of the society, VOTES OP THANKS. The meeting terminated after passing votes of thanks to the retiring officers and to the chairman, MEETING OF DIRECTORS. A meeting of the directors was subsequently held, when Messrs Quinn and J. Murray were unanimously elected VicePresidents of the Society. Mr McCaskill moved— “That Mr Mogrideo be elected Secretary and Treasurer.” Mr Mogridge desired to decline to tike any active part in the affairs of the Society. He felt that he could not devote sufficient time to it. Ultimately he acceded to the wishes of the directors that he should retain his present position, coupled wich that of treasurer, and the president, on behalf of the society, conveyed to him a hearty vote of thanks for his services.

On the motion of Mr Naughtoo, seconded by Mr J. Murray, Mr J, Lawson was elected a life member of the society in acknowledgment of his valuable services, Mr Lawson returned thanks, Minor matters were settled and the meeting terminated.