ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 March 1943, Page 3

ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

ELEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING POPULARITY OF GATHERINGS EVIDENT. YEAR’S SUCCESSFUL ACTIVITY The Saint Andrew Society held its eleventh annual meeting in the Y.M.C.A. Ropms last night, the Chief, Mr H. Mackenzie Douglas, presiding over a fair attendance of members. Mr Mackenzie Douglas said that in times like the present the society was, through its gatherings, fulfilling a useful purpose in providing wholesome entertainment. He considered that in furthering interest in things Scottish the society was postering the interest of the Empire, as the spirit of Scotland was the spirit of the Empire. He desired to see the admittance .of new and enthusiastic members. In drawing attention to the improvement in the financial position of the society, he stated this was materially due to the increasing popularity of the society’s gatherings. Mr Hugh Morrison was again elected patron, with Mr H. Mackenzie Douglas as chief, Mrs Robert Miller, chieftainess, Mr P. C. McLaren chieftain, and Mr P. G. Ramsay hon treasurer. As the result of a ballot the following were elected to the council for the ensuing year: Messrs J. Allan, A. Innes, J. Y. Douglas, Alan James, A. Cruickshank, Miss E. Edwards, Matron A. Grant and Mrs Alan Graham. Mr R. Milne was again elected hon auditor and the chief thanked him for his willing services. The possibility of reviving dance practices was discussed and it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the council. Reference, was made to the absence of concert items of a truly Scottish character from the society’s gatherings. It was pointed out that it was extremely difficult to obtain artists and

that the musical directress had a hard task. The question of the form to b& taken by the gathering was to be investigated and decided upon by the council. It was resolved that lady members could invite two servicemen each to the society’s gatherings and that such men would be admitted at members’ rates when accompanied by lady members. On the motion of the Chief, a vote of thanks was passed to the retiring officers, to the ladies who had worked so strenuously in the kitchen, to the boys who had assisted with the piping, to the hon. treasurer and to all who, had assisted in making the past season so successful. » The annual report recorded a highly successful season. The society’s gatherings during the past year had been well attended and thoroughly enjoyed. A particularly pleasing feature was the number of servicemen who had attended and entered wholeheartedly into the dancing. The contributions made towards the dance music by Mrs J. Y. Douglas and Mr Alex Cruickshank were highly appreciated. Reference was made to the departure of Mr and Mrs W. C. Mann and the Rev John Davie. The thanks of* the society were due to Chief’s Piper Thomas Pickett for loyal and willing service and to Mrs Alan Graham for arranging for the items presented at the gathering.