AUSTRALIANS FOREGATHER

Evening Star, Issue 22953, 10 May 1938, Page 3

AUSTRALIANS FOREGATHER

ANNUAL MEETING OF SOCIETY Members of the Australian Society of Otago held their annual meeting last night, Mr A. Paapo presiding over a good attendance. The annual report stated:—The growth of the society is very gratifying —the last year shows the largest membership since its inception, and the enthusiasm of members is increasing. Social evenings were held during last winter, and were most successful, the average attendance being 80. Thanks are due ip those members and friends who so generously provided entertainment at the functions. Several members were lost by removal, including Misses B. Gleeson and M. O’Carroll, who returned to Sydney, Mrs James, to Timaru, and Mrs F. Andrews, to Wellington. Early this year an opportunity was availed of at a social evening to tender a welcome to Mr J. Critchley, the new Australian Commissioner in New Zealand, and also to bid farewell to Mr J. Payne, Assistant Commissioner, who departed for Cairo, Egypt. Thanks are due to the secretary, Mrs H. A. Newall, pianist, Mrs E. Clayton, accompanist, Miss Mavis M'Donald, and auditor, Mr J. A. Robinson. The finances of the society are in a healthy position, there being a moderate balance in hand. Women’s Section.—This section has had a successful year. Fourteen social functions were arranged* eight of them I being the regular monthly afternoon tea parties, at which an average of 35 members was present. Several Australian visitors were entertained during the year. Mrs Critchley, wife of the Australian Trade Commissioner, received a warm welcome, and also Miss Essie Acland, celebrated Australian contralto. Office-bearers were elected as follows:—Patron, Mr H. H. Mackay; - president, Mr A. Paape; vice-presi-dents—Messrs E. Clayton, J. R. Sewell, and W. D. Young; committee—Messrs Gallagher, A. Glue, D. G. Mackay, J. Temple, W. M. Beal, H. Marsden, and Mrs Orton and Mrs Dawson; secretary, Mrs H. A. Newall; pianist, Mrs E. Clayton; accompanist, Miss G. Paape. It was decided to hold the first social evening on May 28.