Association Now Owns Freehold of Pioneer Memorial Building

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27091, 27 May 1949, Page 2

Association Now Owns Freehold of Pioneer Memorial Building

The gratifying announcement that in March of this year the mortgage on the building had been finally paid off was made at the annual meeting of the Otago Pioneer Women’s Memorial Association held in the memorial building in Moray place last night. This meant, the secretary. Dr S. C. Sinclair, said, that the association now owned a freehold building, the furniture and equipment and held a balance in hand of £6O. The president of the association, Dr E. H. McKinnon, said that the members of the association had worked hard to achieve ownership of the freehold in seven years. During that time they had also furnished the rooms and erected a memorial window. Dr McKinnon said she felt that they had not fully attained their vision, which was a building specially designed both to honour the pioneer women and to form a centre for the women’s organisations of the city." Perhaps in 10 or 15 years’ time they would have enough money to erect a larger building. Although the association was in a sound financial position, with 299' members and 28 affiliated societies; and a

steady demand for the use of its rooms, it was regretted, Dr McKinnon added, that there was much petty pilfering. Knives, spoons, and kitchen utensils were constantly disappearing, and bottles of milk had been taken from the doorstep. In addition, one of the board room windows had been wantonly broken from An entertainment arranged by Miss Florence Pncey followed the business meeting. Songs were given by Miss Cynthia Downie, Misses June and Ursula Penno, and recitations by Miss Elizabeth Bretton and Mrs W. J. White. The election of office-bearers resulted:— President, Dr E. H. McKinnon: vice-presi-dents—the Mayoress (ex officio), Lady Cameron, Lady Sidey, Mrs J. Starr, Mrs J. F. Drake, Mrs W. H. Elliott; hon. secretary and treasurer, Dr S. C. Sinclair; committee —Mesdames A. H. Allen, E. Aslin, D. J. Calder, H. C. Campbell, J. Cooke, S. J. Harrison, J. McDonald, J. Mooney, A. S. Rust, George Stewart, W. B. Taverner, M. S. Turner, Misses M. Anderson, E. Aslin, L. Griffith, M C. Mac Lean, B. Moir, M. Scorgie, and H. Wilson.