CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11188, 9 February 1897, Page 3

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

The fifteenth annual meeting of the Canterbury Caldonian Society was held in the society’s rooms, Hereford Street, last night. There was a good attendance, and the President (Mr Patrick Campbell) occupied the chair. The Secretary (Mr C. J. Marshall) read tho Directors’ report, which stated that tho financial statement was exceedingly satisfactory. The Directors regretted to record the death of Mr P. Cunningham, one of the founders of the society and its first president. It was gratifying to note the increasing vitality in the society—the success of the numerous reunions at tho ordinary weekly “ socials ” at the several dances, at the children’s “party” on St Andrew’s Day, on Hogmanay and at the card matches, and on other occasions proving this in the most marked manner. Tho Directors desired to place on record their most hearty thanks to the ladies of the society fortheir earnest co-operation in connection with the various gatherings. Master Frederick Frame, the present holder of tho society’s scholarship, was progressing satisfactorily with his studies. The Directors had forwarded to Glasgow, for exhibition at the Burns’ Centenary Exhibition last year, the Bums letter belonging to the society, the authorities having written requesting the loan of it. Thanks were due to Mr W. H. Burton for his presentation of an original letter of the “ Ettrick shepherd.” The balance-sheet showed the receipts for the year to have been >£2l3 15s 2d, including a balance of £3l 3s 7d from last year, and the expenditure £lB9 13s 2d, leaving a credit balance of £2* 2s. The scholarship fund was £2B 5s 6d in credit, and the benevolent fund £32 3s 2d in credit. The assets amounted to £B4 Os Bd, and the liabilities—the amounts to the credit of the scholarship and benovolent funds —£60 8s Bd, leaving a balance to credit of £23 12s. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The revised rules, submitted by a special committee, were considered and adopted, and a vote of thanks was passed to the committee. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr P. Campbell (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs J. Connal, W. Sey, P. M. Johnston and Dr Thomas (re-elected); hon treasurer, Mr R. Sutherland (re-elected); secretary, Mr C. J. Marshall (re-elected) ; directors, Messrs W. Eraser, D. Neave, A. Neil, W. E. Ramsay, J. Brown and F. Webster; auditors, Messrs T. B. Craig and F. Blanket. The Secretary read the balancesheet in connection with tho Burns birthday concert, showing that the receipts had been £56 9s, and that there was a substantial balance to tho credit of the scholarship fund. The balance-sheet was adopted. The President, on behalf of the society, thanked Pipemajor M’Tavish, and Pipers Wade and Sturrock, for their services to the Society, and presented each of them with the wherewithal to procure a souvenir. Tho President reported that Mr W. Sey had presented the society with the large portrait of Robert Burns, used in the' decorations at the Burns concert. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Sey for the gift. A vote of thanks to last year’s officers closed the meeting. After the conclusion of business, Mr J. Connal, one of the vice-presidents, referred to the approaching visit of the President to Great Britain, warmly eulogised Mr Campbell’s services to the society, wished him and Mrs Campbell and family a pleasant voyage and quick return, and proposed their health, which was drunk with great enthusiasm. The President, in returning thanks, expressed the hope that the younger members of the Society would pay increased attention to Highland music and dancing. The President referred to the departure of the Earl of Glasgow from New Zealand, and proposed his health, which was drunk with all honours. ‘lt was decided to send a cable message to the Earl of Glasgow, to Australia, expressing the regret of the members of society at his departure, and their best wishes for his future happiness. Tho toast of the visitors was honoured,

and responded to by Mr George Fowlds, vice-president of the Auckland Burns Club. Other toasts were drunk, songs sung and bagpipe selections played. Among the latter Pipe-Major M’Tavish played a new setting of “ Robin Adair,” of his own composition.