WAIRARAPA CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9577, 25 August 1909, Page 7

WAIRARAPA CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

ANNUAL REPORT.

The following is the annual report of the Presidant (Mr D. McLachlan) of the Wairarapa Caledonian Society, for the year ending June 30th, 1909 :

"Your Directors herewith submit the annual report and statement of ace. unts for ih j year ending 30th June, 1909, which will be pesentei at the annual meeting of members, to be held on Saturday, September 4th, in the Dominion Hall. Sports—As indicated in my report to Directors on March 3rd, the Soj ciety has, during the past year, suffered a considerable los 3, due, in a great measure, to an almost unaccountable falling off in gate and grandstand receipts, a drop of £3B IGs on last year's figures. This, added to a loss of £ll 10s lOd on last year's sale of privileges and programmes is largely responsible for the heavy debt on sports account. Entrance fees more than held their own wi th those of 1908, showing an increase of £4 Is 2d. The total cost of sports was only £8 7a 2d in excess of last year, so that, had we been favoured with a good gate and sale of privileges, there is no doubt that the gathering would have ranked favourably with its predecessor. Put into plain figures, the debit on sports

account for 1908 and 1909 was £52 2a 7d, and £lO5 lis sd, respectively—an increase of £53 8s lOd; and, of this increased debit, £SO 6s lOd is traceable to"gates, grandstand and privileges In my opinion, the existing depression, added to counterattractions, nearer their homes, prevented the travelling public, to whom we must look for a gate, attending our last gathering in as great numbers as heietofore. Concert. —From their inception as a fixture in 1906, the Society's annual concerts have proved a great success, the profits on each bi ing: —1906, £26 8s 4rJ; 1907, £ls 8s 6d; 1908, £32 4s lid. This year your Concert Committee wisely decided, in view of future concerts, to introduce talent of a high order. This effort to build [up the reputation of the concjrt ran into an increased expenditure of £l2 15s as compared with 1908, but I feel sure the foresight ot your Concert Committee will he apparent in the near future. The concert receipts amounted to £64 6s, and expenditure to £sl 4s fid, thu3 leaving a credit balance of £l3 Is 6d.

In conclusion, gentlemen, 1 desire to place on record my sincere appreciation of the willing assistance rendered to me by the Directors during my term ot Presidency, and of the hearty co-operation of Stewards who so materially aided in the conduct of our annual gathering. I trust the same cordiality will be extended to my successor. You will be called upon, in compliance with the Society's rules, to elect a President, two Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Auditor, and twenty-four Directo'rs.