ORPHANS’ CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 22621, 13 April 1937, Page 11

ORPHANS’ CLUB

IMPROVED FINANCIAL POSITION The annual report of the Dunedin Orphans’ Club, to be presented at the annual meeting of members on April 27, states, inter alia;— The season commenced with a membership of 267, including life, honorary, and orchestral members. During the year 24 new members were elected, as against 23 for 1935 season, and, after allowing for resignations and removals, the club membership at the close of the 1936 season stands at 265. The following members qualified for seniority bars this season:—Thirty years, Bro. T. P. Williamson; 20 years —Bros. J. A, Hopcraft, T. lluddiman, H. Turner, J. Vivian; 10 years—Bros. R. 11. Aspinall, G. T. Dennis, E. N. Falck, D. G. Gray, J. T. Knewstubb, J. A. Orlowski, P. W. Stabb, R. Walls, D. E. Kerr. The guests of the meeting held on July 7 were the male members of the Blind Club, who greatly appreciated the entertainment. Although not members of the Kindred Clubs’ Association, the club was kindly invited to send delegates to attend a conference at Timaru of the South Island Kindred Clubs’ Association. The invitation was accepted, and the presir dent and secretary attended the conference, which was held on July 18. Great courtesy and kindness were extended to the delegates, and much useful discussion took place. The following were some of the subjects brought forward for consideration :- Transfer of members, exchange of badges, interclub visits, combined meeting to be held centrally each year, annual conference of South Island Kini dred Clubs, and the formation of a subassociation.

It is proposed that the next conference be held in Dunedin during the 1937 season, when delegates from the various Orphan and Savage Clubs in the South Island will attend. An innovation during the season was the trial of a short initiation ritual for new members. The question of its continuance will be considered during the ensuing season. At the expiry of the lease on St. Paul’s schoolroom, the club obtained the use of the Victoria Hall, which it hoped to make its permanent abode.

As intimated at last annual meeting, a sub-committee was appointed to consider the finances of the club, which showed a loss for the 1935 season of £25 17s sd. This was done, and a most thorough investigation was made, mainly with the object of reducing expenditure with the least possible interference with the enjoyment of members. As a result of the economies recommended and effected, it is gratifying to find that despite a shrinkage in subscriptions of £7 11s 6d, the club showed a profit for the year of £57 8s 4d, an improvement of £B3 5s 9d in one year. It is anticipated that the expenses of the new hall will be somewhat greater, and consequently this successful season will prove very useful $o the incensing committee*