ORPHANS' CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16981, 18 April 1917, Page 6

ORPHANS' CLUB

NINETEENTH' ANNUAL MEETING. The niuuteenth annual meeting of tho Dunedin Urpuans' Uiub was hejcl at tne club room, Sussex Buildings, last njgnt. 'Ino President (Mr G. W. M'lntosh) prosided over a lair attendance.

Several apologies and resignations wcro received.

Tho annual report stated that during last session 63 new members wero elected. Alter I allowing for resignations and removals, the club roll at the end of the season numbered 166, including lite and orchestral members, 'i'no balance sheet showed a surplus oi assets over liabilities of £109 16s lOd. The usual high standard programmes were presented at each meeting of the eession. The high efficiency of the club's orchestra was successfully maintained during the past year under the able guidance of Bro. G. B. Laidlaw, in spito of his being unable to keep up the lull strength owing to members being on active service. This cause was so much in evidence for the coming sea-son that it had been found necessary to cut out tho orchestra and substitute a military band. Bro. Laidlaw had successfully completed all arrangements for it. In addition to the 21 names already placed on the scroll of honour, the following members vero now on active service: Messrs J S. Alexander, T. P. Cuddie, F. Page, L. Borrow, E. A. Duncan, J. R. Simpson. During tho season the club was called upon to provide concert programmes at recruiting meetings, benefit concert (Wakari Hall), Red Cross concert (Port Chalmers), and a patriotic concert at Ravensbourne. Early, in the year the main efforts of the executive were concentrated on the production of an original playlet written by Bro. G .A. SVycherley, in aid of the funds of tho Otago Woman's Patriotic- Committee;. The entertainment—"So Long, JJoys"—was produced at His Majesty's Theatre on the 18th and 19th September last, and received high praise from the audience and presa The thanks of the club wero due to Bros. Wychcrley, Osborn, and Laidlaw for their untiring work to make the play a success, also to those members who so willingly performed at the various functions. Th net proceeds amounted to £37 15s. The statement of receipts, and expenditure showed that the year began with a credit balance of £6 17s Bd, and ended , with a credit of £9 13s 9d The total expenditure was £151 (Js 5d

The Chairman, in moving tho adoption of the report and balance sheet, said they were all agreed that they had had a very happy and successful session last year. They wound up with an extra night in the formof an entertainment to the officers and men of the Marama, at tho expense of Mi- J. J. Clark. Tho evening was very much enjoyed by all the guests, ■ who spoke in the highest appreciation of tho programme. They were, of course, continually losing members who were going to the war, but they did not regi'ot that, because we had to win tho war, and we were, doing so. • Bro. T. W. Dobbio seconded the motion, and the report and balance sheet were adopted without discussion.

Trie following office-bearers were appointed for tho ensuing year:—President, Bro. G. W. M'lntosh; vica-presidents— Bros. J. A. Haggitt. S. 11. Osborn, S Solomon, K.C., 0. Balk, and H. F. Nees; committee—Bros. R. Bryant, W. R. Waters G. E. Withers, H. M'Kcchnie, J. M'Connell, A. Sligo, and A. S. Gookson; secretary and treasurer, Bro. R. T. C. Evans; auditors— Bros. G. M. Mac Lean arid F. B. Roach.

The Chairman submitted a ,-new rulo defining tho position and privileges' of orchestral members, making it optional for them either to be admitted to membership without payment and without the club's privileges, or to have full privileges on payment of half subscription. Ho explained that he moved tho motion as expressing the wish of tho committee that orchestral members should bo placed l on some defined footing. Ho understood a similar rule in Auckland worked very well. Mr J-. A. Haggit seconded the motion', which was. carried without opposition. Bro. T. W. Dobhie moved that tho anmial subscription bo increased from a gu'nea to £1 ss, with an entrance fex? of ss. Bro. Ritchie moved as an amendment that the matter bo considered 12 months hence.—The amendment was lost by a narrow margin, and the motion enrriod.

A motion oxproreintr the club's appreciation of Bro. T. W. Dobbio's work for it v.vis directed to be recorded in tho miuutes. Tho president was a!sp accorded a very A>«\arty voto of timjaW^