ANNUAL MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2299, 24 March 1898, Page 16

ANNUAL MEETING.

The seventh annual meeting of members of the Dunedin Barns Club was held in the Choral Hall on Thursday. There were aboutfSQ members present, and the president (Mr J. H. Morrison) occupied the chair. The seventh annual report of the Committee of Management records the fact that the past year has been one of unqualified success. The membership hss increased, especially by ladies, and the programmes provided at the monthly meeting* hare been such a« to delight the large audi?r»cts which never fail to ail the City Hail. ■ The Halloween and anniversary gatherings were more than usually successful, *ud may be said to have been the best Scottish concerts ever given in Dunedin. Both were attended by large audiences, who vrere unanimous in thfcir praise. By the death of Mr Thomas Denniscon the club has lost a much-respected honorary member, a leal-hearted Sootbi&h gentleman, who always took a warm interest in iti progress. His memorable anniversary address, delivered five years B go, did much to raise the status of the club and the appreciation of Burns'a poems in New Zealand. The committee also record the loss sustained by the death of Mr Jxmss Cooper, a valued member of the club since its formation, whosa time and musical talents were freely given to advance its interests. Kindred societies continue to flourish in New Zealand, and it is one of the pleaaantest duties of the secretary to answer correspondence from them. With the Gaelic Society of Otago the club ia on the most friendly footing, and the committee again tender them their heartiest good wishes for their continued prosperity. Ifc was thoughts fitting that the club should show its sympathy with the sufferers by the floods at H« wire's Biy, and it was resolved at a general meeting that it should donate five guineas to the relief fund. The first duty of the committee at the beginning of the year was to sscure a more commodious hall for our monthly meetings, and the City Hall, with nearly double the seating room of the Choral Hall, has been found none too large to accommodate members. The balance sheet shows that although the* membership has increased the balance to credit for the year is not so much as previously This is accounted for by the much larger amount paid for hall rent and for new music ; but the objects of the club have been well maintained. The poems of Burns are more widely appreciated, and the love of Scottish song and story foßtered by the excellent programmes provided at our meetings. Fifteen meetings of committee have been held, besides several meetings of sub-committees, but

I this does not represent all the work dove by | the office-bearers. The Musical Committee, I consisting of Messrs J*m&s Muir, Joha Thorn- | son, Andrew Sutherland, and Robert Brown, i have been particularly active during tli9 year, never failing to provide a gooi programme for the entertainment of mtmbers. The committee agiin testify to the good work done by the secretary, and the treasurer (Mr John Scott) cannot be too highly commanded for the time and attention he devotes to his onerous duties. The choir, which m*y be said to be the backbone of the club, has, under the leadership of Mr Robert Francis, more th*n kept up its high reputation. Ifc is especially gratifying to the committee to record the good work done by the ' ' lads and lasses," and the bent thanks of the club are due to them for the time they s:> freely give, and for tbsir servics in popularising the music and songs of the old "land of tbe mountain and tfce flood." The club is also indebted to many 'friends who hav<\ by addresses, sonjjs, and recitxtionc, contribute'! to the instruction and entertainment of members during tbe past sear. It ia invidious to particularise, but the splendid address given by tha Rev. Isaac Jolly, M.A., will be long remembered with pleasure. The services of Miss Wrighs as pianist are worthy of special mention, and the committee again thank Mr James Browu for his good work as honorary auditor. Thanks are also cue to Mr Peter Sutherland, the M.C. Generally, the committee desire to express their obligation for the assistance freely given by many members in carrying out the objects of the club. --_ In moving the adopHon of the annual report, tbe President said tbe past year had been a moss satisfactory one, both from a business and a concert point of view. Their expenditure amounted to £232, which wai £10 lets than the previous year, and the membership was about the same. Their monthly meetings had all been very pleasant, and tho anniversary gathering was especially enjoyable. Mr R. Bbown seconded the motion, and in doing so referred to the valuable services rendered by Mr Gibson and Captain Andrew (who had acted as chairman when ISv Morrison was absent), and also by Mr Scott (treasurer;, Mr Brown (secretarj), the c^oir (under Mr Francis), and Mi^s Wright (the accompanist). The Hon. T. Fergus and Mr A. J. Bubns supported the motion, which was carried unanimously. Officers were elected for the ensuing year &s follows : — President, Mr James Gibson ; vicepresidents, Or Gordon Macdonald and Captain Andrew ; treasurer, Mr J. Moncrieff : secretary, Mr William Brown (re-elected) ; committee — Messrs R. Brown, J. Thomson, J. G'llies, J. Muir, J. B. Thomson, W. C. M'Nee, A. Sutherland, P. Sutherland, aud Dr Stenhou=e. The usual votes of thanks closed the meeting.