OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION

A committee meeting of the Otago Early Settlers' Association, held in the hall yesterday afternoon, was attended by Messrs Donald Hcid (in tho chair). Duke, Duthie, Denniston, Brenner, Ferens, l'roudfoot (treasurer),., and .Langlands (secretary). The annual report brought up by the secretary was approved, as was also tho balance sheet furnished by the treasurer. The names of olhce-bearors for the ensuing year were, submitted by the secretary, according to tho ruk6, and were approved. It was decided to hold the annual meeting of members on Friday, 29th insl. THE ANNUAL ItEPOBT. The following is the annual Teport to bo submitted to members at the forthcoming meeting;— > "Your committee has again pleasure in meeting you on this the tenth year of our. existence and sixtieth year of the tettlemcut of Otago, and considers that good progress can he shown for tho past year. The roll of mcmlicrship has now reached 1030, and is steadily increasing. In August the salo of tho Moray place property took pltico. Notice was given members, in accordance with a resolution passed at the annual meeting, to expunge rule 21, which gave the committee psivcr to borrow on or mortgage any property belonging to tho association. It was suggested that March 23, 1908, being not only tho anniversary, but also the diamond jubilee of Otago, the Mayor (Mr John Loudon), the Scottish societies—viz., tho Caledonian and Gaelic Societies and the Burns Club—to invited to combine with the association in celebrating the occasion in a manner fitting the progress and prosperity of the settlement. Tho Moray plait' property having been sold, Mr Bunisidc (architect) was asked for, and produced, plans of the Early Settlers' Memorial Hall, and was authorised to call for tenders. On September 2 the tender of Mr Orr Campbell (£5537) was accepted. On September 1Y a social reunion oE members coincident with laying the foundation stone of the hall was hold in His Majesty's Theatro and Victoria- Hall. There was a largo attendance of members and their families, presided over by Mr Donald Reid (president). At this meeting it was unanimously resolved to delete rule 21 from tho general rules. On November 28 a reunion of the surviving passengers and descendants of passengers by the ship George Canning, which arrived on November 30, 1857, was celebrated in the Victoria Hall, There was a large attendance of survivors and descendants, and a very enjoyable jubilee reunion was was held. On February 7, 1908, the combined Ualelutha-Milton picnic was held at Balclutha, and was a great, success. On February 29 the motor gymkhana and floral fete, which had been arranged by representatives of this association and the Motor Association, was held in Tahuna Park, and resulted in a substantial addition to tho funds of the association. The sixty-eighth anniversary of the settlement of Waikouaitr and eighth year of celebration was held there on March 13, and proved highly successful. Monday, March 23, was* a redletter day m the history of the association, as it marked not only tho sixtieth anniversary of Otago, but also the public opening of the Early Settlors' Memorial Hall. A very attractive programme had been prepared for the fitting celebration of the day (the Caledonian and Gaelic Societies, with the Burns Club, assisting), but the weather unfortunately did not allow the programme to he carried out in full. The opening of the hall was very successful, a larcjc crowd of members being present, who unmistakably expressed their satisfaction in having Sl ,ch a grand hall of their own to meet in. An appropriate speech was given by Mr Donald Re-id (president), also by Mr John Loudon (.Mayor) and several other pioneers and leading citizens, all being of ;i thoroughly representative character; and the handsome and spacious hall evoked general admiration. It mav be mentioned here that this is the only early settlers' hall in the Dominion: in none of the other centres have the traditions of early history been so carefully preserved and made so interesting as in Otago. Your committee confidently hopes the manv purposes for which the hall can be used and the feeling of having a share therein will commend itself to the descendants of early settlers and induce them to join the roil of membership, more especially as the piece.' of ground m front of the hall, now in a somewhat unsightly condition, is to be made one pt tho beauty spots of Dunodin, and properly so, as the nni(|ue and appro-priately-Hiadc- entrance to the hall, with a piece of ornamental ground in front,

I will not only he pleasing lo Ihe citizens, but will also favourably impress visitors •- on I heir arrival. The surviving passengers • | and descendants of passengers by the ship \ .Stratlitieldsaye, which arrived on April 29, ■ | 1858, was celebrated in Ihe hall on April 29. I 1908. There was a fair attendance of stir- ' vivors and defendants, and a very enjoy- i able jubilee reunion was held." ;