EARLY SETTLERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21031, 21 May 1930, Page 13

EARLY SETTLERS.

ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting; of the Otago Early Settlors’ Association was held yesterday nttcriioon. The president (Mr F, W. Knight) occupied the chair. Tlie president, in moving the adoption of the annual report, congratulated the association on the completion of one of the most successful years in. its history. The gain in membership of over 100 during the year showed that the interest taken by the desqendants in the association was well maintained, and it would probably increase. As the years went by the privilege of membership, which could only be inherited, would be more highly valued. He would like to remind all members of their duty to carry out the intentions of the founders, and keep the association purely one for pioneer settlers and their descendants. The old question of extension beyond 1868 of the time for the admission of pioneers still cropped up, though it was practically dead, and ought to be buried for all time. Members would have to fight against admitting anyone not eligible under the present rules. The descendants of pioneers must also remember that the Early Settlers’ Association was an Otago, and not only a Dunedin institution. They should keep the management of its affairs in their own hands, and should oppose strenuously any proposal to hand over the institution to the City Council. . For the first time in the association’s history the anniversary celebrations had been broadcast. Friends at a distance would appreciate this, and woujd fee] grateful to the management of station 4YA. He had enjoyed his term of office, and he thanked the committee for its cordial support, which had made his duties light and pleasant. Mr James Brown, in seconding, the motion, said that it was pleasing to note' that the number of visitors to the museum was increasing. It seemed that the institution was becoming well known beyond Dunedin. The motion was carried. The balance sheet was adopted, on the motion of the treasurer (Mr E. Webster), who stated that the donations, which amounted to £ll6, were £2OO less than last year. The “ old time ” dances had swelled tile receipts by £136, and the subscriptions, which amounted to £547, were £l7 less than last year. Wages had absorbed £7OB. The balance was. £Bl4, compared with £SOB for the previous year. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Mr J. J. Mallard; vice-presidents—Messrs E. C. Hazlett, G. L. Denniston, Crosby Morris, W. Nicholson, J, Hope, and J. W. Patton; treasurer, Mr E, Webster; committee —Messrs James Brown. George Brown, H. Barron, W. Blackie, D. J. Calder, A. Eceles. W. H. Ferens. G. S. M. M’Dermid, N. S. J. A. Macdonald, C. C. Robertson, W. A. Thomson, and James Wallace; auditors, Messrs H. F. M. Mercer and R. Duthie. •. Votes of thanks were accorded to ladies who had assisted at reunions, Mrs Morgan and her concert party, the auditors, Mr D. Tannock (for attention to garden plots), and the staff. Members expressed warm appreciation of’the services of the retiring president.

On the recommendation bf the committee. Misses F. and Nina Reid, daughters of the late Mr Donald Reid, were elected honorary life members of the association.