DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 19522, 1 April 1927, Page 14

DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB

THE ANNUAL MEETING Some seventy members attended the annual meeting of the Dunedin Burns Club, which was held in the K.S.A. rooms. The president (Mr Noil M'jDonald). in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, said that the attendances at the monthly concerts were exceptionally good, notwithstanding that the membership had shown a small decline during the year, it was difficult to account for this decline. Probably it was due to the people’s minds being occupied with thq, Exhibition. Ho had no doubt, however, the interest in the club would be revived and the membership would increase, and the roll be even greater than it was in 1926. Even at the present time they had a.membership of 70U, so that they were a very big body. The finances of the club were quite satisfactory, but if it had to depend on members’.subscriptions alone tnev would have been on the wrong side of the ledger. The revenue from their principal concerts had helped them wonderfully. They were much indebted to those who had delivered addresses. During the year there had been a mooting of delegates from Scottish societies in the city, with the result that a federation had been formed. He wished to thank the ladies, also the ■ members of the choir, for the assistance they had rendered during the past twelve months. (Applause.) Mr W. Brown, in seconding the motion, said the' Federati&n of Scottish Societies was bound to do good. Mr Alexander M’Millan, in speaking vo iho motion, said the club had endeavored to fulfil the objects for which a was formed. From two concerts they had made a profit of £46, and interest on investments had brought them in £96. Members’ subscriptions were not udeuuate.

Mr R. M'Kiniay said the 4s subscription was not sufficient. He wished it understood that a 4s ticket only permitted one lady to attend the monthly concerts; but it not infrequently happened that a lady took in two others on her ticket.

I Mr William Brown thought that the | club might, with advantage, reinstate the 15 guineas bursary which it used to give. I Mr W. Nicolson referred briefly to ’ the value of the Federation of Scottish Societies which had recently been formed, with Mr J. S. Douglas as president. H,e said each society would still retain its separate identity, and it was only on special occasions that the federation would bo called together. The motion for the adoption of tho report and balance-sheet was carried unanimously. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Mr T. Gilchrist; immediate past president, Mr N. M'Donakl; vice-presidents, Messrs J. Hastio and James Paterson; committee—Messrs D. Paterson, W. Richardson, W. Nicolson, D. Auld, R. M'Kinlay, John Bowie, W. Brown, Jas. Wal- ; lace, and G. Currie; treasurer, Mr | Alex. M'Millan; secretary, Mr Alex. Cook: hon. auditors, Messrs James Brown and Co.

Mrs Christie thought there was a lack of comradeship in the chib. Mr Nicolson, in moving a vote of thanks to the Press, said they were deeply indebted to the daily Press for the space devoted to their meetings and proceedings. This was seconded by Mr A. M'Millan, and carried by acclamation.

Mr J. Hastio proposed a vote of thanks to the choir. He paid a special tribute to the members who bad attended tho practices so regularly. Mr W. Nicolson seconded the inotion, which was carried by ncclomntion. The President proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr N. M'Dflnald, the club’s immediate past president. This was seconded by Mr J. Hastio, and carried by acclamation.