WELLINGTON, CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 7775, 6 May 1886, Page 3

WELLINGTON, CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

A special meeting of the Caledonian Society was held at Mr KohnV v rooms, Lambton-quay, last evening, for the purpose of considering the advisablenoss of, creating annual prise competitions am<?ngst the members and their families for Vproßcienoy lo the following matters relating to Scotland, —lts history, literature, mtasio (vocal and instrumental), readings and recitations ; also to consider the feasibleness of creating an agency for the reception and assistance of Sootchmen on their arrival in the Colony, and the establishment of annual prizes for knowledge of Scottish literature and hlethry In connection with the city State schools and College. There was a good representative attendance, and the. President (Mr J. Dathie) occupied the chair. The President said the meeting had been convened by Home of the* Directors with a view to ventilate the questions contained in • the advertisement. There-.was £75 in band, and it was for the meeting to consider what steps should be taken to carryout the objects of the Society. There was the question of holding winter entertainments, and opening winter classes similar to those at Dunedin, hot he thought evening classes had been superseded by the education provided by the State. He ecarcely thought they had sufficient funds In hand to establish scholarships, but he conceived it to bo the wish of fte Society ae well as bis ■ own to keep

up the traditions of Scotland. Tim, he thought, could be done by offering prizes for essays, recitations, and musical competitions. There waa also the question of affording assist* ance to Scotchmen on arrival at Wellington. It would be for the meeting to make auggestioos. Mr J. Mackay did not think the proposal to give prizes for eaaays on Scottish history would lead to satisfactory results, as the State school curriculum waa very complete. It would be a mistake to limit the competitions to the children of Scottish parents, because be looked forward to the time when Scotch, Irish, and English would be blended in the Colony, fie thought two scholarships might be founded, one for boys and one for girls, as by means of bursaries he bad known many young men to occupy distinguished positions. The scholar* ships could bn established for £l2 10s each, one at the College and the other at the Girls’ High School, If they were made tenable for two years it would only coat £SO. The idea of readings and recitations was most com* mendable, and might be made a source of income instead of loss. He thought the scholarships should be open to the children of members of the Society irrespective of nationality. He moved—“ That two scholar* ships be established by the Society, one at the Wellington College and one at the Girls’ High School, to be tenable for two years, and awarded,to the children of members of the Society; the subjects of examination to be specially arranged by a committee appointed for the purpose ; committee to report in a month.” Mr T. K. Macdonald seconded the motion. He considered it very desirable that the chil* dren of Scottish parents should be taught the poetry, literature, and the traditions of the Old Country. The motion was carried unanimously. The Committee was then appointed, consisting of the following gentlemen Messrs J. Mackay, J. Dutbie, J. Young, and T. K. Macdonald. Mr Macdonald suggested that a Caledonian concert should be held in the theatre. He thought the result would add £7O or £BO to the funds of the Society. A strong Committee was then appointed to arrange for winter entertainments, Mr Kobn to be convener. The Committee were also empowered to draw up a list of prizes for the various competitions, and to consider the necessary details. The Committee to report to a genera! meeting to be held in a month. The question of establishing an agency for the reception of Scotchmen on arrival in Wellington elicited a good deal of discussion, but it was eventually left to the Directors to make suggestions to the general meeting next month. Votes of thanks to Mr Kobn for the use of bis room, and to the President, concluded the proceedings.