OLD BOYS’ ASSN.

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 September 1923, Page 3

OLD BOYS’ ASSN.

ANNUAL MEETING.

if The annual meeting of the AVcst r Coast Old Boys’ Association was held ■last evening, the President (Mr G. Perotti) presiding over a good attendance. A donation of £1 Is Io the Ohl People’s Home Fund from Mr E. Savage was received. The Secretary (Mr AV. Ford) was unable through illness Io attend. The President remarked that during the year the membership had increased from 321 to 326. 'Twelve badges had been sold and a balance of 17 remained. 'The ball was the most successful yet held, showing a prolit over the previous function. Billiards receipts ■also had shown an increase, 'i he various socials and card tournaments of the past year were very successful. The report of the Secretary stated that the Old People’s Home Fund had increased by £73 12s 9d. The balancesheet showed a credit balance. Captain F. AV. Cox moved the adoption of the balance-sheet, which he said was a credit to the Association. The motion was seconded by Mr J. Walton and carried. Votes of thanks to the Secretary and Treasure were carried by acclamation. Officers for the ensuing year were then elected. Air G. K. Perkins was re-elected

patron. Air .1. Brislane was nominated as President, but declined on the ground that he intended to travel. Air Collins, who was also proposed, likewise declined. Finally, Air T. Clarke was elected. Other officers were elected as follows ; —A’ice-Presidents, Alessrs J. Brislane, J. Stubbs and AVm. Sampson ; Hon. Musical Director, Mr G. Perotti; Committee —Alessrs Bidgood, Walton, Hudd, Smith, Buddy. E. Nelson. P. Nelson, Saunders, F. AV. Cox, T. Collins, and G. AVebster were nominated, and a ballot was taken, only nin‘,e members being required. As a result, Alesers Bidgood, Collins, AA alton, Smith, Cox, P. Nelson, E. Nelson, G. Hudd and G. AVebster were elected. Air G. E. Perkins was re-elected treasurer and Alessrs I’. Barrowman and C. Heaphy auditors. The election of secretary, under the rules of the Asociation, is left in the hands of the Executive. Air AValton moved a hearty vote of thanks to Ihe retiring President, who had done his best to help the society. Air G. Perotti thanked the members for their appreciation. Air Collins moved that it be a recommendation to the Executive that the retiring Secretary, Air AA. hold, be granted a bonus oi £5, as last year. A vote of thanks was passed to the caretaker, Air Bidgood. A proposal that the subscription lor honorary members should be reduced from 16s to 7s 6d was made by Air Brislane, who said that there were a number of newcomers to the town who could be occupied ini the rooms, to the mutual benefit of themselves and the Association. The reduction would encourage them to become members. A member asked if it wolud be necessary to put this in the form of a motion.

'[’he President said that. it could be dealt with at that meeting and carried, but if only one voice was raised in protest it must become a. notice of motion. Mr Brisbane put his suggestion in the form of a motion. As it was about, to be put to the meeting the “onevoice” of protest was raised by Air R. W i Ide.

Mr Wylde said he objected on 1 he. ground that the Association was lowering its dignity by allowing people to become members al the rate of 7s 6d each. He always happened to be in the minority, and perhaps was then, but they all believed the Association to be a good thing to belong to. It was not right that everybody coming to the town should be able to claim that he was an “old boy” just by paying 7s 6d. “They’re not “old boys,” said Air Stubbs. “They are honorary members !”

“Yes,” said Air AVylde, “but they are members of the Association. Air Stubbs asked when the matter could be raised again.

“At any time,” replied the ActingSecretary (Air G. E. Perkins). ‘ It can be dealt with at the next meeting.” Air Stubbs then gave i/otice that, at the next quarterly meeting he would move that the subscription be lowered from 10s to 7s 6d. “That means,” said Air Clarke, “that honorary members meanwhile admitted will have to pay 10s? “A refund can be made,” said Air Stubbs.

Mr T. Collins thought that Air AA vide was wrong in his statement that “any old thing” would be admitted injto the Association. Al] members had to he passed by Hie Executive, and unless approved by the Executive could not become members. It was not likely that the Association would admit any-

one at all merely for the sake of the subscription., “Aly idea,” said Air AVylde, “is that by hovering the subscription you are making the fee for admission too cheap.” Air Stubbs’s proposal will therefore be considered at the next quarterly meet mg. On the motion, of Air T. Collins, it was decided to apply to the Borough Council to have a lamp installed in the passage leading to the rooms for use on such nights as the moving pictures were not showing. The President said that it hail been intended during the year to entertain the ladies, but owing to the epidemic this was impossible. The Executive, however, Imped Io hold a social very soon. The meeting thou wont into harmony, and several toasts were honoured. Musical items were contributed by Messrs E. Nelson, I*. Nelson, and A. AVhito. Messrs Thorpe ami Chaplin capably carried old the musical portion of Hie programme