NEW ZEALAND NATIVES' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 60

NEW ZEALAND NATIVES' ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the N.Z.N.A. was held in the Stuart street Hall on the 10th inst. Mr T. K. Sidey (president) occupied the chair, and there were about 20 members present.

The following annual report was nubmi tied: —

At the last annual meeting your committee were elected on the understanding that they should not undertake active work such as had been carried on in previous years, and they have therefore not the same record of work to report as previously. They have not, however, been entirely inactive. A number of committee meetings have been held, at which various suggestions as to the best way of carrying on the association have been discussed. It was, however, eventually decided to leave the matter to be dealt with by the incoming committee.

Your committee took it upon themselves to offer prizes for the best and second best essay on the question, " Should New Zealand Federate with Australia." This subject was chosen as being one of great importance to New Zealand at the present time, and your committee feel sure that their action in this matter will meet with the approval of members, and that the small expenditure necessary will commend itself to the association as preferable to an expenditure on purely social functions. Your committee's action has also been justified by the number of competitors, 10 essays having been hand«d in. The report of the judges has just been received, and the names of the successful competitors will be disclosed at the annual meeting. The thanks of the association are due to Messrs A. Wil&on, G. Fenwick, and D. Theomin, who kindly acted as judges.

While your committee were not expected to arrange for regular meetings of the association as heretofore, it was understood that they should form an executive body representative of the association, and ready to call it together at any time should they think the occasion of sufficient importance. Your committee felt that if there was any occasion upon which the association should be called together it was upon the return to the colony of a large number of the members of the first of the South African contingents under the command of their distinguished member, Lieutenant-colonel Robin, C.B. Your committee called a meeting of native-born New Zealanders, at which it was decided to entertain the local troopers at a social and to present Colonel Robin with a pair of gold spurs, to be paid for by Is subscriptions. The requisite funds were raised without difficulty, and the social, which took the form of a smoke concert, was held in the Choral Hall. It was largely attended, and was in every way successful. Special thanks are due in thi3 connection to Mrs Smith, florist, for pot plants for decorative purposes, also to Mr Withers and to those who assisted by vocal contributions.

Your committee regret that the war in South Africa has not yet been brought to a termination, and that valuable lives are still being sacrificed. They fervently hope that it may not now be long before the restoration of peace. This year' has been rendered noteworthy by the visit to the Australasian colonies of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, who have arrived ia New Zealand this day. Your committee have thought it fitting that there should be some evidence of the New Zealand natives in the street decorations of the city, and it has been arranged that the work of decoratiug Customhouse square be left in their hands. The designs for effecting this have been worked out by a member of the association (Mr J. A. Burnside), to _whom the association is under a special debt of gratitude for the time and trouble he has devoted to this subject. The decoration of Customhouse square will have the merit of being something different from the ordinary arch and street festooning. It is believed that it will be a feature of the city decorations, and will be worthy of the association and the natives of this place. Assistance has been generously offered on behalf of the children of the various city schools in making the evergreen festoons, and the opportunity is now taken of bringing the matter of assistance under the attention of members. If the members will contribute their subscriptions for last year, which were not called up, ample funds for all requirements will be placed at the disposal of the committee. Several members have kindly signified their willingness to give their labour in helping to erect the festoons. More are required for the purpose and also for lighting the lamps each evening. An appeal is now made to those willing to assist in this way to send in their names to the secretary. One of the members of committee (Mr Chas. Morton) left during the year for the old country in order to pursue his musical studies. The association, extended its patronage at a complimentary concert tendered to him. The committee have to acknowledge the many valviable services of Mr Morton, whose assistance at the association's entertainments was ever to be relied upon, and they wish him every success. Your committee recommend an alteration in the rules, so as to admit honorary members.

In conclusion, your committee trust that the lines upon which it may be determined to carry on the association may soon be finally determined, and that a vigorous effort be then made to enlarge the membership. They believe that, properly organised, th© association would become a power in the community.

The Chairman said it devolved on him to move the adoption of the report;. He had been induced to accept the office of president on the understanding that the association was not expected to do much during the year, but at the same time he was not particularly anxious to be the head of an association that waa not a live one. The committet- had not come to any definite conclusion as to the best way of carrying on the association, bxit the incoming committee would have it before them. One matter the committee discussed was the desirability of affiliating with the Australian Natives' Association. The secretary wrote to Melbourne and obtained copiea of the A.N.A. rules and regulations. As many 3f those present knew, the A.N.A. was a friendly society, and although a large number of its members were honorary members interest in the concern. Another thing that distinguished them from the N.Z.N.A. was one reason to account for its continuity oi existence, because members had a financial the fact that it was a friendly society was the fact that they were a political body. The committee had nc recommendation to make on these matters. The report mentioned that prizes had been given foi essays. This was a new departure, and 3ne to be commended. It was also intended to offer prizes to school children for >ssays on subjects relating to New Zealand or the province of Otago. The association were indebted to Mr Burnside for the trouble he hud gone to in arranging the decorations in

Custom House square, and he hoped that members would give material assistance in carrying out the work. When the committee determined in what direction the association should proceed, he thought members F.hould form themselves into a committee and make a personal canvass for new members. He moved the adoption of the report. Mr F. W. Petrc seconded the motion, and look an optimistic view of the future of the association. He thought there must be thousands of " natives " in Dunedin and Otago who ought to become members, and ho, also thought special provision should be made for country member.*?. He looked forward to the time when they would have a hall of their own, and saw no reason why they should not go ahead. The report was adopted. The following office-bearers were elected : President, Mr E. C. Reynolds ; vice-presi-dents — Messrs T. K. Sidcy and J. HutcliiFf.n : secretary and treasurer, Mr Thomas Jenkins; committee — Me«v«rs G. Scurr, Swan, .U JJavjs, Munro, and Dreaver; auditors — Messrs J. and G. Brown. Mr Sidey then vacated the chair in favour of the newly-elected president. Mr Reynolds announced that the essay competition had resulted in Mr J. C. Thorn Riverton, Southlnndj being awarded first prize, and Mr A. E. Currie, Canterbury College, Christchurch, second prize. A discussion then took place on several proposed alterations in the rules, but no changes were decided on, and the meeting closed with the singing of the National An- j them. |