HAWERA SCOTTISH SOCIETY

Hawera Star, Volume L, 5 March 1931, Page 2

HAWERA SCOTTISH SOCIETY

MEMBERS’ ANNUAL MEETING

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE. At the annual meeting: last evening of the Hawera Scottish Society Air J. E. Campbell presided over the largest attendance yet recorded. The annual report stated that the year had been a most successful one in every way and the high standard of previous years had been maintained. The membership had increased by 56 to 288. Reciprocal visits to and from other Taranaki societies had been a special feature of the activities and the interchange had contributed considerably to the season’s success. The previous year’s experiment of holding socials on a definite date in" each, month was again given effect to and was entirely sucessful. Evenings were held during the year, including Hallowe’en, and each was successful. Burns’ Night was not celebrated', the committee having decided that the interests of the society would be best served by its elimination. The annual picnic was held at Kaupokonui beach. Thanks were due to Mr. Ganilin for his courtesy in granting the use of his property. The revival of the New Year’s Day sports in Hawera was another outstanding event and the. success socially and financially was something of which the committee were proud. The committee were again pleased to note the progress the Hawera Highland Pipe Band had made and wished to place on record the society’s appreciation of the services its members had always so willingly rendered. The balance-sheet disclosed a healthy state of affairs, with total assets to the extent of £lO2 9s Id and no liabilities. With a cash reserve of £3O laid aside the society was in a position to meet any eventualities.

Services rendered bv Airs. L. A. Taylor as accompanist, Messrs. Pickering, Swan and Sewell as dance orchestra and Messrs. N. Reid and J. Nairn for the invaluable services they had rendered iso often in the preparation and clearance of the hall. The society’s thanks were also due to Mr. D. G. Smart for the use of his office for meetings, to Misses Johnson and Lamb for clerical assistance and to Messrs. AlcMoOormick and Co. for the monthly loan of stage furnishings.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT. In moving the adoption of the report and! balance sheet the chairman congratulated the society on its healthy positon and remarked that the aim of the commttee had been, not to make money, but to carry on more with the

idea of bringing members together in a community of social spirit. The assets totalled £lO2 and the cash balance of £3O was a nice little nest egg # This would have been greater but that an amount had to be found - for the Caledonian Association to put it on a sound footing and the donation of £5 5s to the earthquake fund. The sports meeting was very successful and a sum of £35 would be available for the Caledonian Association. They regretted leaving the Foresters’ Hall, but had to find a larger hall and were now very comfortable in St. Mary’s Hall. He remarked that the rules stated that the chief officers Could not hold office for more than two years unless a requisition was signed by over 50 per cent, of members and 197 out of 288 members had signed the nomination and that was why he had been renominated. He thanked them all for the honour done to him and felt he could not refuse nomination.

OFFICERS ELECTED. The election of officers for the coming year resulted as follows: Chief, Mr. J. E. Campbell; chieftain, Mr. D. G. Smart; secretary. Air. E. Kirkby; treasurer, Air. D. G. Smart; honorary chieftains, Alessrs. AY. G. Simpson and W. Murray; ladies’ committee, Mesdames J. B. Laurenson, J. R, Nairn, A’elvin, A. Smith, AV. Hi Young, AlcKinnon, Alatliieson, Aliss A. Ballantine; men’s committee, Alessrs. D. AA’ards, A. R. B. Pierce, L. A. Taylor, D. Stevenson, J. Winks, _J. G errard; representatives to Caledonian Society, Messrs. J. Campbell, L. A. Taylor and A. Wards; auditor, Aliss M. Smith. ' In a general discussion Air. AV. Hannah suggested the advisability of altering the rules to allow a, man to hold office' longer than at (present and Air* Smith suggested a system of progression in office and have the successive chiefs made past-chiefs. The age of members who were en- v titled to rank as juniors of the society was changed from 18 years to 16 years. ' It was decided that the first social of the year he on April 1, a guest night, committee members to introduce their friends. Presentations were made _to the dance musicians, Messrs. Pickering, Sewell and Swan, for their _ services during the past season. The gifts were a, cigarette casket and two wallets. The chief remarked in concluding the meeting that it was more than ever necessary to stick together during the coming year. An elocutionary item was given by Aliss Elva Lowry, of Napier and supper was afterwards served by ». committee of ladies under the direction of Airs. Webber. A dance to music supplied by Pickerin g’:s Orchestra concluded the evening.!