CALEDONIAN SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 23122, 23 November 1938, Page 1

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY

OFFICE-BEARERS INSTALLED HOPES FOR THE FUTURE A distinctly Scottish atmosphere pervaded the Somerset Lounge last night when the office-bearers elected at the minimi meeting of the Caledonian Society were installed. The haggis, skirl o’ the pipes, and a programme of Scottish items, provided an evening which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Air AV. H. AlTveuzie presided, but later vacated the chair in favour of the uew president (Air A. A. Paape). During the evening toasts were honoured, and several speakers stressed the need for an early revival of enthusiasm in the work of the society, increased membership, and a determined attempt to once more bring the society to the prominent place it formerly occupied. The Chairman extended a welcome to those present, and after the new president had been piped in, he introduced Air Paape to the gathering. Ho said that the society had some strenuous days ahead of it, and could find good use for Air Paape’s enthusiasm and energy. He had much pleasure, therefore, in installing him as the new president. _ \ The Chairman also introduced the new vice-presidents, Messrs A. D. Wheeler and f R. S. Black.

Replying to the chairman’s welcome at his installation, Mr Paape said that he little thought when he arrived in Dunedin in 1890 that he would ever succeed to the position he had been honoured with that night. Although he had not achieved much for the society in the past, he was prepared to do his utmost to further its interests during his term as president. Though not personally _ a Scot, many of his family associations had been Scottish. The toast of “ The Office-bearers ” was proposed by Mr John- Hope, who referred to the problem which now faced the society of effecting necessary improvements to the Caledonian Ground, and suggested that it, might interest the new holders of office. Some years ago the League Football Association raised about £IO,OOO in a very short time for its own purposes, and he thought that something of the kind would have to be undertaken by the society. Certainly it should not be beyond them, and in view of the urgency of the matter at the moment he hoped that something would be done about it by the new office-bearers, who. with the nresident, were faced with the task of recapturing some of the glory that was the society’s 50 years ago 1 Mr AA 7 heeler, replying, said that he was convinced that the task before the, socierv was ,not too,-great. The directors ■ the past hud done their best in the matter of grounds and buildings, but, he would like to suggest for future reference that the members had just as much responsibility in this connection as the directors and the office-bearers. AVith a present membership' of 240, the first need was an increase to at least 500. He thought that the suggestion to hold a carnival this year was a good one. and he would like to see it done. 'After all. the Caledonian Ground was a civic asset, and was worth putting into proper order. The sooner the society faced the issue scmarelv the better. Mr Black thanked' members for electing him a vice-president, and said he appreciated the honour greatly. The President proposed the toast of “ Dur Guests.” coupling it with the names of the mover (Air A. H. Allen) and S ; r James Hutchison, both of whom had done a great deal to further the interests of the society. Hejhoned that their interest would be maintained.

Congratulating the societv on the completion of its seven tv-sixth year of service to the community, the mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) said difficult times had been but he hoped that the -Caledonian Society would share in the prosperity which he believed was not far ahead of them. The present grand stand at the Caledonian Ground was an unsightly spectacle. he said, and every endeavour should be made to have it replaced with an imposing structure. In bygone years there bad been only a small number of people to cater for. but to-day it should be a simple matter to erect a building commensurate with the dimensions of the city. In the intervening years manv gronnds had been laid out and completed. This was one of the reasons why there had been a diminished demand for the Caledonian Ground. As sport was an important part of the public’s activities, it was not difficult to understand the Citv Corporation’s action in competing with the society in this manner. Although the society was embarrassed financially, it was no more so at present than it had been some years ago, but with Mr J. S. Douglas and his assistants to pilot the affairs of the society he felt sure that it would soon improve its position. Sir James Hutchison congratulated the society on having attained the venerable age of 76 years, and said he joined with the mayor in hoping that it would have every prosperity in the future. Referring to the vicissitudes through which the society had passed. Sir James said that it would have been In a much better position to-day had there not been a rupture between the directors and the Otago Rugby Football Union some years ago. In his opinion the directors had been a trifle too grasping in their demands, and in consequence had lost a good tenant, and one which would have greatly assisted its finances. He had every confidence in the future of the society, and honed that it would not be long before its affairs had been put upon a sounder footing. Other toasts honoured were “Kin deed Societies,” proposed by Mr T. Gillies and renlied to by Mr J. Caldwell. and “ The Entertainers.proposed by Mr P. Eindlav and replied to hv Mr Arthur Macdonald. The nroeraeime of entertainment was as follows ;—Benrrs hv Mr Arthur Macdonald and Air AV H. AT‘Ker>rio: hagpine selectio-’s hv Mr Angus Al'Anilnn; niano so'es, Mr .T Bringans; and monologues, Air T. Ritchie.