HAWERA SCOTTISH SOCIETY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 23 February 1928, Page 10

HAWERA SCOTTISH SOCIETY.

ANN FA L MEETING. A, FLOURISHING INSTITUTION The annual meeting of the Hawera Scottish Society was held last evening in the Foresters’ Hall. Theer was a large attendance of members and their friends, who, after the more serious business of the evening had been concluded, availed themselves of the opportunity to enjoy a most happy time with songs, musical items, monologues and dancing. During the evening Miss J. MacLachlan gave an exhibition of Highland dancing, which met with the appreciation and plaudits of the large attendance. The function was ke.il up with a swing and vim until the early hours of the morning. A dainty supper was provided by the ladies’ committee.

In presenting the annual balancesheet and report, the Chieftain, Mr AV. G. Simpson, congratulated the society upon the sound footing it had attained during the four years of its existence, and prospects were most promising for the future. He was very pleased at the enthusiastic manner in which all the functions had been attended, and expressed the hope that in the years to follow the society would still continue to expand. The secretary then read the report, which was as under:—

The executive have much pleasure in submitting a report of the year’s activities and considers that the Scottish Society has done good work throughout the past year in cementing many friendships and bringing before the younger members many of the very fine songs and traditions of Scotland, and also taking a share in the social activities of the town and district.

Durng the year the executive has met qn eight occasions. Six social evenings, were held lor the members of the society, each one being well patronised and to all appearances very much appreciated. . The annual dance was held in the Foresters’ Hall and the executive expresses their thanks to all who helped and particularly to those lady helpers to whose capabilities the success of the evening was very largely due. Owing to the inability to get the Grand Theatre at the time we wanted same we were unfortunately compelled to cancel the annual concert. A feature introduced into the social side of the society was that of the reception committee for each function as proposed at the last general meeting. This it was felt sure helped to introduce visitors and make them feel quite at home.

A very special feature of the year was the .introduction of a Christmas evening for the children, with the usual Christmas tree and a present for each boy and girl belonging to the soc-ietj from Santa Claus. This evening was undoubtedly a great success and the thanks of the executive and members are due to Mr Lauren son, who so capably filled the role of Santa Claus and to Mesdames Robb, Velvin and Laurenson for their time and the capable manner in which they bought the toys suitable to all and also to those who helped to decorate the hall and the tree and to those whq contributed the funds. A special vote of thanks is due to Mr and Mrs Stevens,-who made and supplied ice cream free of charge. During the year the executive assisted in making arrangements for a reception to the Rev. James Ran-. 8.D., M.P., and'Mr Alan Wilkie. A reception was held for Rev. James Barr and arrangements completed for Mr Barr to give an address on the history of the British Parliament, a lecture illustrated with lantern views, which was most instructive and interesting. A reception was tendered Mr Alan Wilkie in conjunction with the Hawera Amateur Operatic This function was a splendid one, and reflects credit on the 'members of the society for the way they loyally supported their executive in these matters. This afternoon resulted in a net profit of XBs 9d, which was made up to €1 and handed to Dr. McGliie for the wireless for hospital fund.

The executive considered very seriously the question of sending a delegate to the conference held in "Wellington for the formation of the New Zealand Federation of Caledonian and Scottish Societies, but after r. careful perusal of the facts set before it, it was decided not to be represented and further that the society did not affiliate with, that body. The chieftain, secretary and Mr Anderson were again appointed speciai delegates to. act on the committee of ,tire Taranaki provincial sports gathering. These spons were this year held at Eltliam in accordance with the rules laid down that it be held in a different centre each year and the executive felt that the revival of this important function was something worth while, as this year’s sports were an unqualified success numerically and financially. The executive would like to express its thanks to Mr. Laurenson for his valuable services in driving in his own car the delegates to and from Eltliam on many occasions. The closing feature oi tlie gear’s activities was the usual celebration of Burns Nicht. This \ear it was on the 24th, in agreement with Strati-ord and New Pymouth that functions be held in rotation, so that members of each society eaii visit each other’s functions

This year the speaker was Mr. I{. Hogg, from \\ ellington, who gave the adurcss to the “Immortal Memory” in a most tree and capable manner, touching the live of Burns and supporting hiis statements by quoting irom otiiei eulogies oil Burns from various wellknown writers and poets. The address ivns one of the most instructive the so. iet.v had had, and worthily upheb. tiio standard set by previous speakers at this function. The executive placed on record its thanks to Mr. Hogg 101 his veiy eloquent and enlightening address.

During the year two addresses were given by members of the society, namely, Mr. L. A Taylor on Lady Nairn, and Miss Corrigan on Sir Walter Scott. These addresses were most instructive and educational, and it was suggested as a recommendation to the incoming executive the advisability 01 continuing this work. 'The society’s choir had rendered valuable assistance at the social evenings and the members were to lie complimented on their very capable perform- ! anees. Thanks were due to Mr. C. Lamb, who had conducted the choir with such patience and perseverance throughout the practices and assisted to interpret to perfection some of the mest gems of Scottisli song. Assistance was ably given to the ilawera Highland Pipe Band at its annuai meeting, which took the form of a concert in conjunction with ineiners oi the society. Its balance-sheet showed the band to be in a very prosperous wav The executive had pleasure in recording the thanks of the vo iety to the band for its attendance at the various functions and for valunb'e assistance given. Very special thanks were due to the Presbyterian church management for free use of the choir practice room ; tc M rs. L. A. Taylor for her untiring

efforts in assisting the choir .as its ae companist; to tne boys’ orchestra, which had loyally supported at all the functions and gave of its best talent, contributing to making the various evenings the success they were, and especially for assistance in supplying music for the dances; also to Mr. Smart for use of his room for executive meetings. In conclusion the executive wished to thank all members of the society for their support during the past year, and confidently looked forward to the progress and success of the society during the ensuing year. Before the election of officers took place, Mr. W. G. Simpson, on behalf of the society, thanked all those members and retiring officers for the very great services rendered during the year ■ . * , The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : Chief, Mr. Geoayme senr. (re-elected); chieftain, Air. \Y. G. Simpson (re-elected); secretary, Mr. R. C. Stevens; treasurer, Mr. I). G. Smart; executive committee, Messrs D. iMeCormick, (J. Lamb, L. A. Taylor, J. Hicks, T. Anderson, J. Swanson, Miss Corrigan, Mrs. Lacey, Miss Bissett, Miss 1. Stewart, Airs. Webber, Airs. J. Nairn, Airs. L. Hobbs, and Airs. Velvin. The following were appointed as honorary chieftains: Aiessrs J. B. Laurenson. Geo. Taylor, and A. R. B. Pierce. owing to the increasing number of junctions the society was undertaking during the coming year it was unanimously decided to increase the membership subscriptions to 10s Od for gentlemen and 7s Od for ladies. A letter was received from the secretary of the Wellington Scotch Social Club appealing for subscriptions in aid of a destitute family in tiiat city. —It was decided to vote two guineas to the fund, and other individual donations were also handed in. |Mr. D. G. Smart, treasurer to the lidciety, congratulated the meeting upon the excellent financial position of the society to date, the balance-sheet showing that the liabilities were nil, whilst the assets stood at £72 15s 7d. A: hearty vote of thanks to the Press concluded the meeting. The following ladies and gentlemen lontributed items to the programme, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all: Aiessrs Aforris and Simpson and Miss Jean MacLachlan. The accompanists were Messrs Taylor and Simpson, while Air. Rarleyxnan played the music for the dancing in an efficient manner. Piper Quin played the pipe music for the Highland dancing