ROTARY CLUB

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 January 1943, Page 2

ROTARY CLUB

FORMED AT PAHIATUA ’ LAST NIGHT NOTABLE DISTRICT EVENT. FELLOWSHIP AND SERVICE. Sponsored by the Masterton Rotary Club, a new Rotary Club was formed at Pahia'tua last night in the presence of a large gathering of citizens of that town, and of members of the Masterton, Palmerston North ami Dannevirke Rotary clubs. As the representative of the District Governor, Mr F. Ila 11-Jones, and as president of the Masterton Rotary Club, Mr J. 11. Cunningham, who presided as special commissioner, welcomed those present.

Mr Cunningham said that he and the past president, Mr Norman Lee, had been requested by the District Governor to endeavour to extend the Rotary movement to the Pahiatua district. They had recently met a number of responsible citizens of the town, and that night’s meeting was the culmination of their efforts. Passing on to refer to the formation of the Rotary movement in Chicago in 1905, Mr Cunningham spoke of some of the personalities connected with its establishment and with later developments, notably Paul Harris, the founder; Chesley R. Perry, the only national and international secretary the movement had known, and A. F. Sheldon, who was selected as the one best qualified to interpret to British Rotarians the ideal of service as understood in America. The all-round Rotarian was interested in club, vocational, community and international service. Rotary constituted a world of fellowship of business and professional men who had united themselves in the ideal of service. In the atmosphere of fellowship, happiness was found. An international fellowship of men bound together by a common ideal, the ideal of service, was truly inspirational. To such fellowship great things were possible, even the advancement of understanding, goodwill and international peace. On June 26, 1941, there were 5059 Rotary clubs, located in over 60 countries, and with a membership of about 212,000. With such a body, and the spirit of service which permeated it, surely they could look forward with confidence. Quoting the four objects of Rotary, Mr Cunningham drew attention to the fact that each of them stressed the word “service.”.. Was there not, he asked, inspiration also in the thought that the sun never set upon Rotary? It was in 1921, he added, when the Rotary movement was founded in Wellington and Auckland, and the Pahiatua Club would be the 27th club in the New Zealand area. NEW CLUB CONSTITUTED. On the motion of Dr. H. Paterson, president-elect, it was decided: “That this meeting resolves to form a Rotary Club in Pahiatua, and apply for membership in Rotary International.” The territorial limits of the club were fixed to comprise the borough and county of Pahiatua. Other formal resolutions were adopted. The following were the charter members of the club, totalling 35, the limit allowed by the constitution: Messrs W. Barrett, W. T .Brown, K. F. Button, C. S. Carrad, R. J. Carruthers, W. A. Carthew, J. D. C. Crewe, J. C. Davidson, J. W. J. Gardiner, H. A. Gardner, W. B. Gray, A. W. Hamilton, L. T. Herbert, G. H. Hodd, S. G. H. Hogg, J. Hutton, E. A. Jones. S. J. Judd, G. S. McLauchlan, A. Mills, W. J. Mills, L. P. O’Neill. R. L. Parker, H. Paterson, D. C. Pryor, H. H '.Rankin, E. Scandrett, W. G. Scott, H. Knowles Smith, S. T. Tinney, A. A. Vaughan, E. B. Watson, W. H. Watson, R. J. F. Whiting, A. W. White. It was stated that there were five more members awaiting election. Officers were elected as follow: President, Dr. H. Paterson; vice-president, Mr A. A. Vaughan; secretary, Mr A. W. Hamilton; treasurer, Mr W. A. Carthew; sergeant-at-arms, Mr D. C. Pryor. Among the many telegrams and letters of congratulation read to the gathering was one from the District Governor, Mr Hall-Jones, wishing the club every success and stating that he looked forward to meeting the members personally on February 9. Congratulations were extended by representatives of the Palmerston North and Dannevirke Clubs, who offered to give the Pahiatua / Club every assistance. PRESENTATIONS MADE. A demonstration of the duties and powers of the sergeant-at-arms,. given by Mr F. Whyte, of the Masterton Club, and others, caused much amusement. On behalf of the Masterton Club, Mr Cunningham presented a sunshine collection box to the Pahiatua Club, stating that the contents would form the nucleus of the club’s sunshine fund. Mr Cunningham also presented to the Pahiatua Club president a gavel and a Rotary wheel, both made by Masterton Club members. Dr. Paterson, in acknowledging the gifts, expressed his thanks for the honour accorded him in electing him president. Upon the meeting being handed over to the president of the Pahiatua Club, Messrs H. Knowles Smith, R. J. Carruthers and S. J. Judd were elected directors. It was decided that the annual meeting should be held in July at a date to be fixed, and that weekly meetings be held on Mondays, at 5.30 p.m. A COMMUNITY ASSET. Mr S. L. P. Free, past vice-president of Rotary International, offered his personal congratulations to the new president on the high office to which he had been elected. The president must have the loyal support of every member of the club. A great deal could be got out of Rotary. Not only could the members be congratulated on being associated with a Rotary club, but the whole community were to be congratulated on a club being formed. If the Rotarians carried out their Rotary principles, and he had no doubt they would, they would have a. very great influence upon the town and upon the activities of the town. Supper was served, and Dr. Paterson expressed thanks to the visitors for their attendance, the Masterton Rotary Club for fathering the club, and the Palmerston North and Dannevirke Clubs for their offers of assistance.