OVERSEAS CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 17928, 25 March 1922, Page 7

OVERSEAS CLUB

DUNEDIN BRANCH,

From the tenth annual report of the Overseas Club we take the following regarding the year’s work :

The executive lias gone very thoroughly into the matter of membership, and eliminated a largo number who, through various causes, have retired. This has entailed a vast amount of work, and thanks are due to the hon. secretary (Mr F airhoirn) for the excellent services he has rendered. During the your arrangements were made with loading citizens to give r-hort lectures on matters of Imperial interest, and it was to be regretted that a large number of members had not taken advantage of the privilege of attending these lectures. The lectures ware given with the idea, of fostering a spirit of inquiry into vital problems connected with our Empire, and the executive trusts that the whole of the members will take advantage of them an the future, and by their attendance show their appreciation of the services of the lecturers. The executive was specinly indebted to the Rev. E. A. Axclsen, Rev. Gray Dixon, Messrs James Berg. G. M'Crackcn, J. B. Waters, and Colonel M‘Donald for their excellent addrosses. Tho social eido of tho club ha-d not been neglected, and several very pleasant evenings were spent during tho year, and were much appreciated by all taking part. ; The function arranged for Empire Day in the Octagon Hail was a success. Tho comma-nder cud officers of the Now Zealand warship Chatham were present bv invitation. The president (Mr A. E. tlsherwood), who occupied tho chair, in introducing tho Hon. Downio Stewart, made special reference to matters of importance to the dub as a loyal link of our great Empire. Tho Minister gave an excellent' address on Imperial matters, A resolution, proposed by Colonel M‘Donald and seconded by Mr MacManus, was unanimously earned requesting His Excolenoy 'the Governor to convoy a message of loyalty to His Majesty the King! The executive trusted that in future this would bo observed by tho club os an annual fixture. The club entertained tho commander and officers of the French war eloop Alde-bn-ran at an at home in tho club rooms. The president, through Mrs Simpson, expressed thd club’s great pleasure in extending a welcome to our French Allies, and expressed tho hope that many future visits would follow, and that would strengthen tho bonds of affection between Franco and Great Britain. Tho commander, in reply, through Dr Marshall Macdonald, expressed his thanks for the courtesy and consideration extended to himself and officers. Tho bond, ho said, that united them was one of love and, scivioo, and ho trusted that time would serve to draw our nations closer together. Tho club, in conjunction with the Otago Rugby Union, held a dance in the Art Gallery in honor of the South African representative footballers. It was m every wav most successful, and tho captain and manager of tho team expressed their extreme gratification for the courtesy extended to them. . An entertainment organised and earned out by Mr Do Spong was hold in His Majesty's Theatre in aid of tho unemployment relief fund. Tho entertainment was most successful, and MrJJo Spong is to bo heartily congratulated on his efforts, A sum of £4B 12s was raised. A new lease for tho term of three years has been entered into with tho Dunedin Building Company, Limited, at a rental of £l7O per annum. Tha executive thanks Mr 1L Z. Moore for his good offices in regard to tho matter. . , , ~ Tho ladies connected with the Mercantile Marine Circle did extremely good work in entertaining tho officers connected with tho various ships in port, and tho officers expressed their very high appreciation of the pleasant evenings tendered to them. Many of them have joined tho club ns a mark of their gratitude. The ladies had deorganised their circle and had done verv excellent work in connection with their social evenings, and best thanks were extended to them for the services so freely rendered and for ii,i spirit of harmony which was so essential to tho welfare'of tho club. The Ladies’ Circle submitted a design for a memorial to our soldier members, which was approved by too executive. It proposes to have tins erected during tho year, and the executive heartily appreciate'its action. . Tiro 'lion.' secretary (Mr Fairbawn) had: submitted an excellent report in connection with tho club’s future -propaganda for increasing its aimo arid objects by donating prizes to tho various schools for essays on Imperial topics, and also for extending tho usefulness of the dub and making it an educative factor in the community.. Tho executive has expressed its approval of his report, and it now rested with tho incoming executive to give it its best .support! Tho executive expressed its very high appreciation of Mr Fair!)aim’s excellent services and the very great amount of energy and_ enthusiasm " displayed by him in carrying out 4ho duties entrusted to him. Miss Grierson resigned her position as assistant secretary", and- tho executive appointed Mrs Smylhics to tho. position. Liabilities amounting to over £2OO were taken over from last year, and it was extremely satisfactory 'to note that, after payment of there, (ho year closed with a credit balance. Thanks were due. to tho ladies, and gentlemen who rendered _ toe excellent musical items from time to time, too Press, and Messrs Ban - , Leary, and Co. (tho honorary auditors) for their excellent services.