CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Issue 7343, 15 October 1887, Page 4

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

«. The annual general meeting of the Caledonian Society of Otago wan held in "Wain's Hotel Ja«t evening. The president (Mr J. Wedderspoon) occupied the chair, and thew was a large attendance of members. The annual report was submitted as follows : Your directors beg to submit the twenty-fifth annual report and balance-sheet of the operations of the Society. Your directors have much pleasure iu •tatlmr that the year tinu been a fairly prosperous one, the balance-sheet showing a profit of LIU2 IBs 2d. The receipts would have been considerably larger but for a heavy thunderstorm which occurred on New Yearns Div. It may be pointed out that the ♦xpenditure during the year includes a payment of over L2OO for interest overdue when the accounts were closed last year, and it is gratifying that wa have been able to make this payment out of the ordinary income of the year. The membership shows an increase of 108 over last year, the present number being 239. This number could easily be increased were eaoh individual member to endeavor 10 interest Ms friends in the Society, and Induce them to become members. Your direotors having approved of a echeme recommended by the Games and Ground Committee for altering and extending the grounds, beg to report tnat the alterations are now nearly completed. The oval has been enlarged and shifted nearor to the Anderson Biy ro id, the running track extended to 100 yards, and an extra football and cricket Around formed, from which the Society will derive ad increased income. Those alterations have bein undertaken by moneys raised on debentures amongst the directors and members themselves. The Caledonian Bowling Club have again leased the bowling oreeos for the season at a satisfactory rental It is their intention to convert the email green into lawn tennis courts, which we trust will prove a boon to the southern end of the City which will be appreciated. *he Phtenix Crioket Club have leased the grounds for Picketing purposes for the season at an Jnoreased MDtaL Tour directors regret to note that two of their number—Mr James Speight and Mr Thomas Thomson-have passed away during the year. In accordanoe with rale 6, ten direotors whose attendance are lowest on the roll retire, and five retire by ballot, tat all are eligible for re-election. Your direotorsare confident of the iu tore prosperity of the Society, and trust that the new directorate will do all in their power to promote the welfare of the Society. The Ohaibman, in moving the adoption of the report, remarked that the present position <rf the Society was very creditable, seeing that

notwithstanding tho difficulticsbeforethem wlu n thty took office they had been able not only to make ends meet, but to show a balance of L 162 19m 2d. He thought they could fairly say now that they were on the road to prosperity. It had been found necessary to cut down expenses last year, but the competition in the various games did not suffer anything in consequence. The third day of the sports had been most successful, and helped to make up for the loss sustained through the bad weather on the first day. The increase in membership by 108 was most satisfactory, and next year he hoped the number would bo similarly increased. The painting of the grand stand had been carried out by the caretaker at a cost of Ll4, whereas had it been done by contract it would have cost between L4O and LSO. Mr Kihkcaluy seconded the motion, and in doing a» commented on tho favorable nature of the report. Several other members haviDg spoken in a iimilar strain, the motion was put and carried. The following gentlemen, most of whom were retiring directors, were, in accordance with the Society's rules, elected as directors to act during tho year with the present directors :—Messrs J, At' Donald, A. Lees, B. Wilson, M. Fagan, A. B nt, G. Dowse, A. Thomson, J. Samson, J. Kobin, James Gore, S, G. Smith, D. M. Stuart, .T. Blaney, James Liaton, C. Bills, I*. Miller, A. Oven, and tho Hon. G. M'Lean. Messrs W. J. Moore and A. M'Nicoll wore elected auditors. A vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs Aloorc and Jamie.-'on for their services as audito.'s during the past year.

A meeting of the directors of the Society was subsequently held, when the following officebe irers were e'ected for the ensuing year: i're ident, Mr K. Swan ; vice-presidents, Messrs J. Barron and W, Owen; honorary treasurer, Mr A. Sligo ; secretary, Mr J, Clegg.