DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12600, 2 March 1903, Page 4 (Supplement)

DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

Tliu first animal meeting of the Dunedin Ccunpc-litioiiti Socioty was hold in the Kducat'ion Oflici: cn February 26, t!n v Mayor (Mr J. A. Park) presiding. About 20 members attended, and apologies fur absence were received from about half a dozen others. 11m following annual report was submitted by the secretary (Mr Grace):— Tn presenting to the subscribers and the public their first annual lcport, the committee consider th.it ihe society may fairly be congratulated on the successful result o[ its initial experiment. When the promoters laid their scheme before the public in the Town Hull in February last the meeting was peorly attended, but so much enthusiasm was shown by those who were present that (here could be no doubt'of ultimate success. At the outset the committee were much indebted to the then Mayor (Mr G. L. Denniston), who afforded every encouragement to their proposals, and after vacating the mayoral chair he beenme all active and energetic associate. The present Mayor (Mr J. A. Park) also joined the society from the start, and, indeed, it is mainly owing io his Worship's active interest and general assistance in the operations of the society that the successful outcome of (lie competitions may be attributed. When the list of prizes for the competitions in literature, music, and elocution was submitted to the colony it was anticipated that the committee would receive from 200 to 300 entries, but, thanks—in a large measure—for the interest and publicity given to the movement by the press, the very gratifying number of 700 entries were actually received from all parts of New Zealand, giving earnest of a much larger number in the future. In view of this contingency it will doubtless be iieccssary to raise the standard of most of the competitions, so that mere mediocrity may not be encouraged. It is proposed to add several new audi attractive items to this year's list of competitions, provided the society is afforded more material assistance from the Dnnedin residents.. Owing probably to the novelty of the competitions, the committee regret to note that the society did not receive that encouragement from the citizens of Duncdin which this valuable stimulus to excellence fairly led them to anticipate. "When the direct privileges of a number's subscription ticket are taken into (.onsideration, it does seem ridiculous to report that, only 31 guinea tickets were taken up —half of these by the committeo themselves'. However, the large and appreciative attendances at the evening sessions during the competitions were distinctly cnconrnging, and, as will be seen by the balance sheet, enabled the committee to carry through their project with a trifling deficit only. The committee are much indebted to Mr Saul Solomon for his kindness in placing n convenient meeting room at their disposal, and supplementing bis generosity with a handsome donation Thanks are also due to tile St. Matthew':; Vestry for the use of their schoolroom, in which part of (lie competitions were held, to Mr Jesse Timson and Mr Matthew Muir (Balclutba) for acceptable donations; to tlu various gentlemen who assisted as honorary judges; to Messrs ,T. V.'ilkie and Co. for the excellent printing matter supplied and for the consistent promptitude with which this matter was turned out; and lo a number of gentlemen who generously gave efficient and welcome help during the competition; also to the head masters of the various district schools for the largo amount of assistance given in securing entrko for tlio junior elocutionary and musical sections. Filially the committee only voice the feeling of the community in expressing their great appreciation of the valuab'c and efficient services of Mr J. Miruglian Harnett, the highly esteemed musical judge. A financial statement was submitted by the treasurer, setting out the total rcceiptto have been £250 19s 3d, and the expenditure £250 12s Oil. There were liabilities to tlio extent of £21 Is 6d. On the motion to adopt the balance sheet, the Mayor said he thought they could congratulate themselves in not being landed in for a larger dobit than £21. The economy shown by the committee and the management thrnughoul. together with the assistance of the public, had been the causo of such n very light deficit. He anticipated a. debit of ,U least £50, but lie fully anticipated that next season's competitions would put them on a sound footing financially. The report was adopted, on the motion of the Chairman, without discussion. Tlio following officers were elected for 1903:—Patron, his Excellency the Governor; president, the Mayor of Duncdin; viccpresident, Mr J. A. Park; treasurer, Mr G. C. Israel; secretary, Mr E. D. Grace; committee—Messrs T. W. Wliitson, M. Cohen, G. L. Denniston. Kev. W. Curzon-Siggcrs, A. C. Hanlon, W. Wills. J. Jeffery. .T. W. Smith, S. Solomon, J. F. Ivirby, C. K. Smcaton, and F. C. Liggins; lion counsel, Mr D. M. Findlay. A minute was placed on record recognising the services of Mr C. G. Smeaton, who acted with Mr Grace as secretary last year, and who was one of the promoters of the society. It was decided to instruct the executive to take steps to register the society under the Unclassified Societies Act. Ihe date of the opening of the competitions was fixed for Saturday, October 17 next. The question of holding a band contest in connection with the competitions was fully discussed, and finally relegated to the executive. Sonic discussion also turned on a proposal to increase the prize money in the choir contest, but no definite decision ..was arrived at,.

i MONEY OKDER AND SAVINGS t BANK BUSINESS. g T?ie following is a comparative return of money order ami Savings Bank business for the postal district of Biuiedin of the years \ 1901 and 1902: — Year ended Year ended ' ' Dec. 31,1001. Dec. 31,1992. j is. d. £ 8. d. Amount at credit j of depositors 1 on Dec. 31 .. 962,060 1 6 1,059,472 9 8 1 Amount of S.B. 3 deposits .. 665.6(0 13 4 721,231 1 1 ! Amount of S.B. ' withdrawals .. 695,602 1 9 G51,387 3 0 " Amount of interest allowed ! to depositors.. 24,235 2 9 2G.651 6 4 ■ Amount of money ' orders issued.. 159,313 3 5 148 036 13 9 I Amount of money • orders paid 183,061 19 9 170,892 711 ■ Amount of mcmey 1 crder commisi "ion, .. .. 2,002 12 G I,G6S 0 3 Number of Transactions. 1001. 1302. Savings Bank drposit.l .. 57,097 G1.450 Savings Bank withdrawals.. 37.17!) 39.63G Money orders issued .. 44,020 Ilowy orders paid- .. 45,331 42,!)13 Savings Hank accounts open _on December 31 .. .. 30,309 ' 32,215 Savings "Half!; "accounts opened duriltg tile year .. G,G52 8,866 Savings Bank "accounts closed during year .. .. 4,701 , 5,050 Statement showing amount at credit .of (kpocitors in the Dunedin district on December 31 in each year from 1893 to 1902: — Decoiiiber 31, 1603 £ 503,913 G 9 December 31, 1894 U!2,634 10 11 December 31, 18.13 Gujooo 16 4 December- 31, 'ISI'G .. .. G6<1,590 G 9 December 31, 1897 721,8CG 18 7 December 31, 1593 763,92S 12 30 December 31, 1599 197j278 18 4 December 31 1901) .. 863,739 4 3 December 31, 1901 962,900 1 6 Dcccmber 31, 1902 .. 1,059,472 9 8