CALEDONIAN SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 February 1940, Page 8

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY

ANNUAL REPORT. A SUCCESSFUL YEAR. The sixty-fourth annual report of the Wairarapa Caledonian Society, which is signed by Mr Robt. McKenzie, president. is as follows: — 1 have much, pleasure, on behalf of the Directors, in presenting the 64th Annual Report and Balance Sheet. Again we have experienced quite a successful year, the success being attributed to the whole-hearted support given the Society's activities by the members generally." During the year eight meetings of Directors were held, at which the following attendances were made: —Messrs R. McKenzie 8, R. Lendrum 7, C. A. Burling 6, J. A. E. Kerslake 6 : R. W. Burling 5, J. W. Colquhoun 5, J. J. Hunter 5, G. Beecroft 5, L. Pither 4, I. D. Cameron 4, H. E. Pither 4, W. S. L. Dickson 4. C. W. Burling 4. P. G. Ramsay 4, C. H. McKenzie 4. J. B. Mac Lean 3, A. McCowan 1. No nominations have been received for new Directors on your Board. The retiring Directors, therefore, are eligible for re-election. The Society has again suffered loss by removal, through death, of many of our former office-bearers and active members. We record with regret the loss of our late Director, Mr Alex Pickering. The late Mr Pickering had been a very valuable member of the Directorate for many years.

Your Society has suffered, and will still suffer the temporary absence of many members through enlistment. It is with pleasure that your Society can offer continued membership to all members joining his Majesty’s Forces, free of subscription whilst on service. During the past season, members were given the opportunity of attending four Inglesides, and -it is pleasing to report the increasing interest these social gatherings are producing. The Annual Gathering was held on the Park Oval. Masterton, on Monday, January I. 1940, and once again proved a successful gathering apart from. the financial Joss incurred. Splendid entries were received for all juvenile dancing events, and judging by the keenness displayed by all entrants, these classes will be keenly contested at future meetings. The cycle and amateur athletic events were well patronised and we extend our sincere appreciation to the Masterton Cycling and Amateur Athletic Association for their generous assistance in the running of these events.

The re-forming of Wairarapa Caledonian Pipe Band has been occupying the attention of your Directors and it is now decided that in view of the international situation the time is not opportune to proceed with the object. As soon as more favourable times appear it is the intention of your Directors to push this matter ahead with as little delay as possible. This report would be incomplete if reference were not made to the valuable assistance rendered by the Ladies’ Committee during the year. The Society is indeed fortunate in this connection. and I desire to express the sincere thanks of the Directors for the untiring labours of those ladies who officiated at our social functions.

In conclusion, I wish to sincerely thank my Directors who have so willingly assisted me during the past year, thus considerably lightening my duties. I earnestly hope that the Society will be encouraged in the year it has now entered.

For the information of members we append hereto a list of th.e Honorary Life Members of the Society:—T. S. Arcus, L. Clarke (hon Life Director), Mrs Robert Cameron, Mrs J. M. Coradine, Miss Helen Gillespie. J. W. Henderson, Mrs Alex Mutrie, Mrs A. W. Hogg. Mrs M. A. Pauling, B. R. Rayner, Wm Ross, Mrs A. Stewart, Thos Wyeth, Mrs Jas Walker, J. B. McKenzie.

The retiring Directors eligible for reelection are as follows: —Messrs J. W. Colquhoun, J. J. Hunter, J. A. E. Kerslake, I. D. Cameron, G. Beecroft, C. A. Burling, J. McKenzie, W. S. L. Dickson, C. H. McKenzie, P. G. Ramsay. C. W. Burling, R. W. Burling, A. McCowan. L. Pither. H. E. Pither.

In accordance with the rules. Mr R. McKenzie, as Past-President, becomes a member of the Board ex-officio.