COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17503, 20 December 1918, Page 7

COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING.

Tho annual meeting of the Dunedin Competitions Society was held Inst evening. Mr J. Rennie presided, and there wero about a dozen members present. The committee reported that tho Last festival had been very successful, although tho malo sections, as could only havo been expected, had been somewhat weak. Tho dancing sections proved to be very attractive, and considerable interest was also shown in the fife and drum band contest. Ilio financial position had considerably improved during the year, the credit balance rising from. £77 7s Id to £206 17s Bd. To a large extent this was duo to Messrs A C Uitnlon and, W. R. Bnigh, who saved tnr Society the expense of an elocution ju«ge. Special thanks were due to them and to the judges of the original story, original poem, fancy dancing, and Scotch dancing sections; to Messrs C. Begg and Co. and the Bristol Piano Company for offoring scholarships in the instrumental sections; to Mr S. H. Osborn for offering a scholarship for elocutionary competitions; nlso to the Dunedin Burns Club, the Bristol Piano Company, C. Begg and Co., J Wilkie and Co., Mr T, P. Williamson, and Mrs Montague for donations and special prizes. Mr E. Towaey's genial presence had been greatly missed from the stage, and all hoped that he -would be restored to health and again. _ The committee joined in the Empire's rejoicing on the victory achieved, and hoped to have the pleasure of welcoming to the next festival many competitors who had been serving at the front. The report was adopted, on the motion of tho chairman, who congratulated the society on coming out so well under unfavourable conditions. The fife and drum band competitions had not been on a very satisfactory footing, but steps would be taken to secure better 'conditions. Ho thought it would be advisable to resume giving moderate prizes; and was pleased to report that a young side-drummer in the 4th Regimental Band had intimated that he was willing to give a prize to encourage drumming. Mr Towsey's absence had been felt by everybody. The chairman concluded by expressing his pleasure at seeing Mr Whitson present again, and wished him renewed i strength. .The following retiring members of the committee were re-elected R. A Swing, J. L. Salmond, Dγ Hall, and Dγ Roberts. Mr "W. T. llonkman was roappomted auditor.

Votes of thanks -were accorded to the president (Mr J. Rennie) and the seoretarv (Mr E. S. Wilson).