ROTARY ACTIVITIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18951, 24 February 1925, Page 7

ROTARY ACTIVITIES.

YEAR'S WORK REVIEWED. THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The animal meeting of the Auckland Piotary Club was held yesterday, when officers for the coming year were elected as follows: —President, Mr. J. F. Ewen; vice-president, Mr. W. Coltman; hon. secretary, Mr. A. J. Hutchinson; hon. treasurer, Mr. R. F. Ward; board of directors, Messrs. K. Mackenzie, S. J. Harbutt, H. P. Ivissling, H. W. Manning, and J. H. Lawry. A very successful Rotary "At Home," attended by about 160 guests, was held at Messrs. Milne and Choyco's tea room last evening, when tho retiring president, Mr. K. Mackenzie, introduced tho newpresident and officers for tho year. The toast of "Rotary" was drunk with much enthusiasm, reference being made by tho president to the. fact that yesterday marked the twentieth anniversary of the founding of Rotary. The movement had now spread to 28 countries. There were 1900 Rotary clubs in existence to-day, representing a total membership of about 105,(XX). In his retiring address, the president spoko of tho steady growth of Rotary in Auckland, and of the sT£ni> <jj narmony and good-fellowship that" Bad" cnaracterised the year's activities. Much good service had been performed with benefit to the community, and a sincere effort made to bring the ideals of Rotary into effect in business and private life. He urged that, a special effort be made during tho coming year in tho direction of education, laid down by Rotary International as one of the most important of all club activities. A high tribute to the services rendered bv the retiring president was paid by Mr. Ewen, who spoko of the progress made during the year. Although Rotary was only in its fourth year in New Zealand a fine spirit of camaraderie and zeal for service had been developed. The new president expressed his intention of doing all in his power to advance the best interests of the movement during his term of office. Tho annual report, presented by the secretary, Mr. A. J. Hutchinson, stated the membership of the club was 123, which gave it the position of" premier Rotary organisation in New Zealand and Australia. Five new clubs had been formed during the year at Napier, Hastings, Palmerston North, Hawera and New Plymouth. A special tribute was paid to the services of tho Hon. Geo. Fowlds and Mr, Charles Rhodes in assisting the expansion of the Rotary movement in other centres. An excellent musical programme added much to the enjoyment of the evening, the items including several Rotary choruses, vocal solos by Miss' Mina Caldow and Mr. Barry Coney, violin solo by Miss Stodart, and 'cello solo by Mr. H. 0. McFarlane.