SANDON OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 135, 8 May 1933, Page 2

SANDON OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SANDON, May 8. The annual meeting of the Sandon Old Boys’ Association was held on Saturday night, when Mr 0. C. Ellerui presided over a good attendance. Mr A. Matthews sent an apology for absence. The report and balance-sheet, which showed a small credit balance, was read and adopted. The action of the secretary in sending a cord of firewood to a needy member, who was laid aside with sickness, was endorsed.

The president (Mr Ellerin) in his address made feeling reference to the passing of Mr L. Bishop, one of the older pupils of the school and also the passing of three old residents of the district, Mrs C. L. Anderson, Mrs E. Wilcoek and Mr T. Verry, all of whom had taken a keen interest in the well-being of the association. As a mark of respect all stood in silence. The president, continuing, said that all knew there had been some talk of the association ceasing to function as it was thought that it had, perhaps, had its day and that the younger generation were not coming forward to accept their responsibilities as. members. At the last annual meeting, at which there was a large attendance of young members, it was resolved to carry on with the annual reunion on a slightly different plan. Socially the re-union was a decided success, it being one of the best of recent years. Perhaps some of the older members with their memories of past gatherings might still bo feeling downhearted, but he would assure them that, given the enthusiasm displayed prior to the last gathenng, in time they would achieve the high standard they had set. One of the outstanding features of the year’s activities was the excellent press publicity wo obtained. Thanks were due to the Croucher Brothers in this respect. To the ladies they again owed thanks for their practical support. Thanks were also due to the performers who helped with the social programme; and to the secretary (Mr J. M. Croucher). It was on him that practically the whole, work of the association fell. The large attendance at the last anual meeting wa3 not maintained at more recent meetings. “I vyould like members to realise that our association is not a one-day affair. If members would only get into the habit of thinking about the association as something continuous and give us support as such, we need have no tear of the future and we will be able to achieve even greater success than in the past.*' . , Mr J. C. Fagan thanked the president for his report which he said was an inspiration to the younger members. Mr J. \V. Masters endorsed the remarks and congratulated the president on hrs speech at last year's re-union. Mr W. J. Croucher congratulated the president, and expressed appreciation of the co-operation of the younger members, with whose assistance they had been able to balance the budget. He hoped they would again be favoured with the excellent publicity given them through the p re =s last year. Air H. J. Lagan expressed pleasure at the work done by the younger members and said that if the same enthusiasm continued the future of the assoclhtion would be assured. The president in his reply thanked members for their kindly remarks and said he would always have happy , recollections ot an enjoyable year in office. A motion, “That the name be changed front the Sandon Old Boys’ Association to the Sandon Old Pupils’ Association, was proposed by Air E. J. Bowater. Ihe motion was opposed by. Mr W. J. Croucher who said the association had been tonned in July, 1905, and he was not aware ot any expressed wish of old girls to attend general meetings. After much discussion a proposition by Air D. Hammond lhat an effort be made during the annual rocia by otherwise to ascertain the views ot old pupils as to the advisability of changing the name of the association, such information to be reported back to the next annual meeting,” was carried. Mr C. Eglinton proposed that Air W. J. Croucher, as a founder of the association, be elected a lite member. Air H. J. Lagan and Air E. J. Bowater spoke in support and the motion was carried unanimously. Mr Croucher in his reply said the honour was deeply appreciated. In these last moving times it was an association such as.this that cnablcd people to renew old acquaintances. It was the hearty co-operation of many old families that had kept the association 6 Gif the suggestion of Air \V. J. Croucher it was decided to write a letter ot sympathy to -Mr Campbell Penny in the serious illness of his mother, Airs B. 8. Penny, a pioneer settler of this district. Mr H. J. Fagan moved that a letter ot sympathy be sent to Mr W. J. Peacock expressing the hope that he will soon b restored to health. . When th-j election of officers took place Mr W. J. Croucher said the office ot patron might well be included and moved that Mr G. Levy he elected. Mr Levy was an enthusiastic supporter and was one of the pupils when the sclioo was first opened. The motion was carried. Mr J. C Fagan spoke in appreciation ot the work done by the secretary and proposed that be be asked to accept the position of president in appreciation ot what he had done for the association. Ihc remarks were endorsed by Air H. J. Lagan, who said ho would be pleased to see Mr Croucher elected. Mr J. M. Croucher, in reply thanked members for the sentiments expressed. Other officers were elected as follow Vice-presidents, Messrs C E. Eglinton, A. Nesbit, J. C. Fagan, Trevor, Oppatt and Iv. Pearce; hon. secretary Air K. M. Pearce; assistant secretary! Mr C. Eglinton; committee, Alessrs D. Hammond, J. W. Masters, M. Pearce, E. J. Bowater, M. Cockburn and 0. G. "Yas resolved that the annual reunion bo held tho first I’riday in July. Alessrs C. Eglinton, E. J. Bowater H. J Fagan A. York, C. Oppatt, M. Cockburn, J. C. Fagan and Miss A. E. Eagan wero elected a committee to deal with the matter. The question of the annual Sunday memorial servico was left in the bands of thep resident to arrange. Air W. J. Croucher proposed a vote of thanks to the president and executive officers for their services during the year, paying specia ltributo to Air Ellcrm. Mr H. J. Fagan expressed appreciation of the work done by the secretary (Air J. M. Crouchcr). Air Croucher, in bis reply, drew attention to tho good work done by a member of the association (Mr E. J. Bowatcr) who had the past year been chairman of the School Committee. Mr Ellcrm suggested that the secretary be given permission to spend up to £3 in needy cases, such as had arisen during the past year Tho suggestion was approved by all.