EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2363, 8 June 1899, Page 15

EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

The first annual meeting of the members of the Otago Early Settlers' Association was held in the board room, Agricultural Hall Buildings, on the 30th. Mr E. B. Cargill (the president) occupied the chair, and about 20 gentlemen were present. Apologies were received from Messrs W. G. Somerville and John Wood.

Mr E. B. Cargill, in his opening remarks, said they had assembled at the first annual meeting of the association. They would hear from the report, whioh would be read, that the committee had not been idle during the year, but its members had met, together and had done all in their power to promote the objects of the association. There had been two gatherings of early settlers, at one pf which he had been unable to be'present, being detained by his duty in 'the City Council. At the last of those meetings it was very gratifying to see so many gathered together and enjoying themselves so much as they had done on that occasion. It was not so much that there had been anything 'of a striking character in the programme of the proceedings, but the people 'came together, and renewed friendships and acquaintances. "The success of the association would largely depend upon the amount of enthusiasm which the members of the committee resident in Dunedin were able to throw into it, and he thought that all that could be expected had been done in this ie spect. As to the future of the association, that of course would rest altogether upon those who took an interest in it doing their "part to maintain it and to keep it before those to whom they had tp look for its support. This support was not a matter of money payment, but of exciting and maintaining that interest for which the association had been formed — the interest of acquaintanceship and association. Of course -as years go on those who had part in the early work of settlement were getting fewer and fewer, but no <loubj others who had come later would take part, and so the association would be continued in the future by those who had taken part in and had seen a great deal of the progress of the colony. The progress that had been made during the latter half of the period since the foundation of the colony had been very rapid and more remarkable than during the first half. They had seen the country opened up in a way that was not at all anticipated 30 years ago, and on all sides there was abundant evidence of the good work that had been done by settlers. The condition of the country was now vastly different from what it was, for the facilities of travel from one end of the country to the other were greater than in any other new country within the British dominions. He did not know that it waß needful to say more, and bo would call upon Mr D. Reid to submit the annual report : — The annual report waa as follows : — Your committee have to report that the association began active work in the month of April, 1898, after the preliminaries of constitution and framing of by-laws hnd boen completed,

The roll of membership now numbers 19ty and shows signs of increasing. The committee have" met monthly, and, in addition to several meetings of "the association for formal business, two social gatherings have been held. The first of these social gatherings was on the 21st September last in com' •memoration of the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the ships Victory, Blundell, and Bernicia. • " The committee can witH.'fionfidenae say that the opportunity of renewing old acquaintance afforded by this gathering was greatly appreciated by members and friends. The second of the social' gatherings was held ' on -the 24th March in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the ships Ajax, Mary, and Mariner, and again a large gathering of members and friends assembled to renew acquaintance. This also proved to be an occasion of much enjoyment. The kind assistance of many friends who gratuitously gave their help -in making these reunions attractive is gratefully acknowledged. The committee feel that early settlers look forward with pleasure to further gatherings of a similar nature, and would therefore recommend that at least two such reunions should be held'in each. year. Beyond the fostering of social intercourse among early settlers and their/descendants, the committee have not yet accomplished much, but they hope to gradually extend the operations of the association so as ultimately to cover all its objects. - --Meyertheless, some progress \vs& been made in the way of furthering these objects, and already a beginning has been made in the col* lection of books, papers, etc., of historic interest in connection with the early years of th« province, and the committee have from time to time discussed the, best means of .securing further records of historic interest dealing with tha events of the early days of the province. The committee are convinced of the usefulness of-the association, -and hopeful of its continued au&cess^ They can therefore recommend all early settlers to join in> the membership, and so increase the interest ajid benefit to be derived from the association. As tp^ finance, the committee regret to report tha.t the expenditure has exceeded the income by|£2o Is Id. It must, however, be' explained that tho preliminary expenses are included in this excess of expenditure, and the committea have little fear "but that, now the excellent purI noses which the association fulfils are being ', seen and appreciated, an increasing memberI ship and contributions from friends of the asI sociation will clear off the debit balance and I keep the committee 'in funds. ' According to the rules, the president, vi^eI presidents, and members of committee for tin j ensuing year have to be appointed at the annual I roeeting to be held on the 30th May inst. j The balance sheet showed reoeipts to hava j been £40, and the expenditure £61 Is 4d. i On the motion of the Chairman, the reporb was adopted norn dis. -Amendinente were made in the rales by siriking out the word "male," so as to allow of women being members of the association 1 , and the rule as to membership was made to 'react, " Nomination of members shall be made in writing by two meifibters of the association and approved by,' the committee." The following officers-were then elected: — President, Mr John Reid ; vice-presidents — • Messrs J. R. Monson, R. Chisholm, J. Elder Brown, John Duncan, Njohn Sidey, and Rev. ¥m, Banneraan ; treasurer, Mr G-. O. Proudfoota; auditors^Messrs W.^T. Monkman and .F. J. MonBon ; oommitfcee^ — Messrs. It. N. Adams, F«. A- Jfaseph, J. Richardson, L. Langlandß, W. G. Somerville, J. Wood, B. J. Monson, H. Mercer, T. K. .Sidey, J. Duncan, J. R,eid, and Dr Fulton. yMr Sidey moved, and- it was carried, that . the ntwnes -of.' the retiring 'president and vicepresidentß be enrolled as past officers in tha records of. the association. * - ' Votes of thanka were carried to Mr E. r B. CaTgill for the interest he had taken in tho M association, and to the committee for thei* services during the" year. - ; J