CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Issue 9878, 14 December 1895, Page 4

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

; 1 ■!„»,■"., , ~j. A social meeting of direotorstuid member* > of theOaiedonian Bbcietjr'of' Otago was held, in the Shamrock Hotel last nighty. The chair was pooupied bjrthe preeldeut'of the> sooioty (Mr,.Wtt>.'Swap) l 'a94 the vicerchait by Mr P. Miller; and there were also, present—Messrs W. Dawson, J. H. Chapman,, A. Sligo.B. M'Ponald, D. Pinkerton f T. Fpgo, W. Elder, R. Forest, & Gillies, A. Owen, J k Gebbie, J. R. Thornton, W. G. Kirkcaldy Dr Jeffcoat, Dr and about fifty .others. The, proceedings were somewhat after the style of a, smqke concert. The Pkesident said he desired to explain that it had been decided to hold four or five social gatherings during the year for the purpose of bringing directors and mehjtyersmore into sympathy with .each other and working together for the advancement of ithe Booiety and the increase of its membership.' Although the society was the largest <jfl its kind south of the Line, and was in the midst of a population of oyer 20,000 people, there were only 300 persons on its roll or membership. What was desired was to, excite greater interest in the society and strengthen it by increasing the number of members to at least 500. There should be no difficulty

in doing this, -when the smallness of the subscription and the advantages of membership were realised. For some time there'bad been only one meeting annually which members were invited to attend, and it was felt that something more was necessary in order that directors and members should work together. The society was in a good financial position—in fact in a better position than' it had been for years past, and almost better than could have been expected considering the depression that had prevailed. Each year the society distributed £350 in prize money, paid £422 for interest, £228 jfor salaries, and in other ways various sums, making up a total annual outlay of between £1,400 and £1,500. It was therefore neces-

sary that they should maintain public interest in the society. They were greatly indebted to merchants and trades-people for their liberality in contributing to the prize fund, and on behalf of the directors he thanked them for what they had done. If they could only increase the membership to the extent mentioned, the position of the society would be a subject for congratulation, and he therefore expressed the hope that they would do all in their power to increase the strength and usefulness of the society. Mr Miller, the vice-chairman, also made a few explanatory remarks, and desired to express tho thanks of the directors to those who had accepted the invitations to this social gathering. Unfortunately, the date fixed for the first meeting of this kind was also the date for the Orchestral Society'B concert, and a number of members—some of whom would have contributed to the harmony of the gathering —were unable to be present. It was not intended that there should be speechmaking or any formal business, but that members should meet, say, once a quarter, in a friendly, social way, so that the bonds of sympathy and goodfellowship essential to the welfare of the society should be renewed and strengthened. As the president. had suggested, it would never do to allow the influence of the

society to wane, and there was no gainsaying the fact that the Caledonian Society did not occupy the position it should in the community. By friendly social gatherings they hoped to stimulate not only Scotchmen but others to take an interest in the society, which was really cosmopolitan in its character, and deserving of the sympathy and support of the community. Later in the evening Mr A. Sligo proposed the toast of " Tho President." In his speech he r< f Ted principally to the position of tho v .ikvouiau Society and to the length of time it had been in existence. It was a soci%..y that was worthy of support, and tho public generally should roll up and give their assistance to it. Although it was called the Caledouian Society it was really a cosmopolitan affair, for it was open to the three nationalities, and not to the Scottish alone.

The Chairman briefly replied. Mr W. Dawson proposed the toast of "The Vice-chairman," to which Mr Miller responded. During theeveniug songs were contributed by Messrs A. Wright, J. R. Thornton, F. L. Jones, R. Forrest, Dey, and others; recitations by Dr Stenhouse, and Mr J. Gillies; while Dr Jeffcoat told some very amusing storie3. The evening was a most enjoyable one. The time went merrily and well from start to finish, aud, on the whole, the gathering was free from boisterousneßS or anything else that would mar its success.