MANIOTOTO EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XL, Issue XL, 22 June 1911, Page 1

MANIOTOTO EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

The annual general meeting of "the above association was hield on the afternoon of Wednesday, the 14th inst. There was a fairly large and'representative meeting of members present The president, Mr Alex. Pearson, presided The first business was the reading of the report and balance-sheet by the secretary, Mr R F Inder. Mr Guffie eulogised the efforts of the officers of the executive at last reunion, in a few well chosen and appropriate remarks, which were cordially endorsed by the meeting The adoption of the report and balance-sheet was moved bv the chairman and carried ? The election of officers was the next business The president (Mn Pearson) moved that Mr Hugh Wilson be next president, seconded by Mr W J Baxter "Mr Wilson spoke in highly complimentary terms of the energy and en • thusiasm displayed by Mr Pearson while acting as president and would support bis nomination as president Mr Guffie moxed, and Mr Provan sec--epded—3-irat Mr Pearson be elected president for the ensuing term. Mr Hugh .Wilson, in withdrawing from the nomination, said he thought the meeting should again re-elect Mr Pearson president for another term in recognition of past energetic services The motion was carried Mr Pearson returned thanks for the honor con • \ ferred on him On the motion of Mr j James Smith, seconded by Mr Cleugh j . (Gimmerburn) Messrs John Cogan and Hugh Wilson were re-elected vice presidents Mr Wilson returned thanks, and apologised for the absence of his co vice, Mr John. Cogan The secretary (Mr R Inder) was re-elected, amid many expressions of his capability in filling the ppgition, and the knowledge he had obtained as the association's first sec-i retary fully qualified him for the' office. The secretary, in returning th»»iks, said he would undertake the duties, although his private affairs were "numerous and required much attention. At the request of the president he had reconsidered his decision not'to take the position. He had to : thank most heartily the president for the pen (a handsome safety fountain) which he held in bis hand. He considered the great succes was due mainly 1 to the fact that the association had ; ' caught on,' and to the energy and | enthusiasm of Mr Pearson, who ex-, tracted half-crowns for tickets almost' at-the point of the bayonet. The sec-j retary wished to acknowledge the j ready and capable assistance rendered i by the members of the various subcommittees. The election of a committee was next business The following members of committee were elected —yiz —Messrs M'Grath, Barratt, Guffie, Cleugh, Johnstone and J Law, jun, were reappointed, Mr Cleugh taking Mr Crerar's place. The selection of the place at ; which the next reunion was to be held was the next business con- , sidered, and on the motion of Mr • James Dawson, seconded by Mr E < Dow, it was resolved that the next , reunion of early settlers be held in Naseby, and that the date of the gathering be fixed by the committee All the members supported the motion, , giving reasons that - the accommodation and other conveniences couid only be obtained in Naseby, and instanced where else in the county the same privileges could be obtained Cordial votes of thanks were given to the various members of committee who arranged for the sports, music, dancing, and provisions, and a unanimous wish that the same persons would again undertake the duties was expressed, and heartily agreed to, '

1 Cordial votes of thanks were moved and carried with acclamation to- Mr J. G. Bremner and Mr J. J. Ramsay for their valuablecontributions dealing with the experiences of the early days of Maniototo, and also to Mr J. Wil • son who contributed Mr Petrie's re« miniscences of bullock driving iu 1857 to Puketoi.