ROTARY CLUB

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 195, 19 July 1937, Page 8

ROTARY CLUB

TO-DAY’S ANNUAL MEETING. OFFICERS ELECTED. The thirteenth annual meeting of the Palmerston North Rotary Club was held to-day, following the weekly luncheon, Mr G. G. Priest presiding over a large attendance. The year closed with an active membership of 65, stated the report, which was read and adopted. The club held 44 regular meetings during the year, the average attendance for the yeai being 69.7 per cent. “The sixth Pacific regional conference of Rotary International was held at Wellington'. It was a memorable occasion for Rotary in New Zealand. Unfortunately, several factors combined to prevent the attendance of many representative overseas delegates, which would otherwise certainly have eventuated. It is satisfactory for the Palmerston North club to know that it was represented by a attendance of 16 dejogates and a number of ladies. The experience was certainly one to be remembered, and one which must be for the benefit of Rotaiy in this country. “Our regular meetings continue to be characterised by a fine spirit of good fellowship and pleasurable foregathering that is undoubtedly a weekly feature of considerable enjoyment and benefit to members, and the club has also been fortunate in the succession of outstanding speakers who have contributed to the programme during the year. Me owe a very great deal to the enterprise and resource of the chairman of the programme committee, Rotarian J. 0. Young, for the able and unfailing way in which lie continues to maintain a programme of wide variety and interest—a responsibility that most of us would certainly hesitate to undertake.

CLUB ACTIVITY. “The directors adopted the policy of assisting whore possible organisations for the welfare of the younger generation, and the club (on the lead of the youth service committee) has been able to render assistance during the year to the Young Men's and Young 'Women’s Christian' Associations. It is gratifying to report that the club continues to be well represented by members on the board of the former, and the advisory board of the latter. The club gave its support to a carnival organised by the Boy Scouts’ Association in aid of the funds for erecting a Scouts’ hall, and has since submitted to the association a scheme for the raising of the balance required for that purpose. The association lias the club’s assurance of support in any future efforts. In addition to monetary grants from the club’s sunshine box, a donation was made to the cost of installing a wireless installation at the Otaki Sanatorium. Members have also contributed individually to the fund raised by the Rotary Clubs in New Zealand to provide a talking picture outfit for the Makogai leper station, this worthy cause being sponsored by the Rotary Club of Suva. On the suggestion of the Mayor, our entertainment committee co-operated with the Legion of Frontiersmen in organising a concert for the benefit of two families in distress. The chib’s delegates to the Manawatu branch oi the New Zealand Crippled Children’s Society report that that body is making satisfactory progress with the humane work which it has undertaken, and this will be evident from the report to be submitted to the annual meeting of the branch at an early date.

“The sons and daughters’ evening was originated last year, when its success was felt to fully justify a repetition, and it is again very satisfactory to report on this year’s gathering as one that was well supported and fully enjoyed alike by lire parents and juniors. No doubt, it will, therefore, become an accepted leature of the yearly programme.” The report concluded with tributes to the treasurer (Rotarian A. Grigor) and the secretary (Rotarian K. G. Chamberlain). "Appreciation of the co-operation of the directors in particular and the members generally was also expressed. INTERNATIONAL SERVICE.

The report of the International Service Committee stated that the annual Rotary essay competition open secondary schools in Palmerston North had again been conducted. The essays were of a high standard and the competition resulted in pupils becoming acquainted with international problems.

“Members of the committee.” added the report, “have interested themselves in the Palmerston North branch of the League of Nations I nion. Rotarian J. Hubbard being the president of the local branch, while Rotarians John Murray and H. B. Reid occupy seats on the executive committee. Our congratulations are due to the local branch of the League of Nations Union for' their activities during the year, because both the union and Rotary arc working towards the same object.” Officers were elected as follow: President. Rotarian A. A. -Langley: vice-president. Rotarian A. Grigor; directors. Rotarians R. Allison, E. Bary, E. .T. Hickin, K. W. Jones and C. N. Rabone. with Rotarian G. G. Priest ex officio; lion, secretary. Rotarian K. G. Chamberlain; lion, treasurer, Rotarian A. Grigor. • On the motion of Rotarian W. G. Black, it was decided lo place on record appreciation of the services ol the retiring president, Rotarian Priest, and his officers. Special reference was made to the work of Mrs Priest and a motion of thanks was carried by acclamation. . Visitors welcomed were' Rotarian A. J C Runciman (president of the Hastings Club). Mr W. S. McLean (Palmerston North) and Mr btuart Carter (Waikato).