OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2668, 3 May 1905, Page 18

OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

A committee meeting of the Otago Early Settlers' Association was held in the registered office on Thursday, and was attended by Mr John Duthie (in the chair), Messrs John Reid, Charles Duke, W. E. Brugh, G-. C. Proudfoot (.tieasuTex), and L. Lan glands (secretary). Votes of thanks were passed for the following donations to the building fund: — To the Gaelic Society for proceeds of ceilidih, £12 8s ; to the surviving members of the Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney, and Shetland Society for balance of funds, £5 13s 2d; to the Early Settlers' Picnic Committee (Milton) and to the "Waikouaiti Celebration Ccmmittee for one guinea each from their surplus funds. The Secretary reported that the celebration of the fifty-seventh anniversary of the settlement was held in His Majesty's Theatre and arnexe on* the 23rd March, 1905, and that there was a large gathering of members and their fan-ilies. His Excellency the Governor, atended by Captain the Hon. A. Binghani, A.D.C, honoured the meeting with his presence, and the president (Mr Donald Reid) was introduced to his Excellency by Sir Henry J. Miller, M.L.C., Oamaru. After giving an address his Excellency walked about, conversing freely with members, and the presentations included Mrs J. E. Monson (Port Chalmers), who arived in 1843, such of the survivors of the two first ships that were at hand, five vicepresidents of tlie association, the treasurer, and others ; the secretary had met the Governor (by appointment) at the Fernhill Club the previous evening. The executive of the Gaelic Society was present by invitation, and was presented, and had an interesting conversation with his Excellency about the Gaelic language and the various dialects of the Celtic tongue in Ireland,- Scotland, snd Britanny (France). The ladies, with their usual liberality, had provided tastefully anS plentifully for the tables. A vote of thanks was passed to them for so doing, ajid a special vote to the ladies who took charge of the catering and to the young ladies who came forward to hand round refreshments. Votes of thanks were also passed to those who took part in the musical programme : — Mr John Anderson (violin) and Mrs Miller (nee Anderson) piano, overture ; Mr John Thomson, song (" Afton water") ; Miss Thomson. song (" Scotch emigrant") ; Miss Cicely Gardner, sons; (" Last rose of summer") ; Miss Ina Gow, D.C.T.L., "Study" (Rubinstein), piano; Mr Maitland Gardner, song. A special vote of tbanks was passed to the directors and manager of tlic- Agricultural Hall for granting the use of His Majesty's Theatre, annexe, and Victoria Hall for this celebration at a merely nominal charge ; and the secretary also wished to place on record his many obligations to the manager (Mr H. C. Campbell).

In conformity with notice given at the anniversary celebration, the Secretary reported that a meeting of ladies was held in the Victoria Hall in connection with the proposed bazaar. Mrs Ferens was voted to the chair, and it was uj^animously resolved to hold a bazaar, art union, etc.. in June, 1906 (winter show time), to raise fund? to clear off any liabilities which might then be on the Early Settlers' Hall, Moray place, as it was hoped it would be erected by. that time. The ladies present pledged themselves to assist the movement as far as lay in their power, and also to endeavour to enlist Hie sympathy of their friends. Mr Lan glands, who was present, promised that, on the approval of his committee to the bazaar art union, etc., bein<r held, he wouM send circulars to all Dunedin and suburban ladies connected with the association notifying them of the time and place for holding a meeting to elect president, treasurer, secretary, and members of committee, anch to disctiss all matters relating to the successful carrying out of the project. It was unanimously resolved that a carnival, bazaar, and art union be held on the date mentioned, June, 1906 (winter show tinip).

Preparation of th? pr.nual report was left to the secretary, and of the balance sheet to the treasurer.

It was decided to hold over acknowledgment of mtrnerous presentations till nest meeting.

Seventeen new members were enrolled,

The following deaths were recorded : — Mrs Douglas Ayson (91), XVarepa, Eoyal-> Albert, 1853; Mrs Catherine Biggar (70), Kaikorai, Melboxirne. 1861; M*s John. Little (.78), Dunedin, Storm Cloud. 1860; Mrs Mary Ann Bates (Mcsely), Clutha, John Wickliffe, 1848; John Somerville (71), Dunedin, Robert Henderson, 1858; Henry M'Culloch (85), Invercargill, overland froni Canterbury. 1855 ; Mts James M'lndoe (Gillies, 76), Forbury- Alpine, 1859; James Cullen (87), Outram, Wellington 1840, Otago 1845. first settler at Owhiro; Miss Isabella Matthews, Mornington, Lady Nugent, 1850; Mrs Eyley, Palmerston South, Resolute, 1864; Mrs John Moxhay (Mary Ormsby, 68), Balclutha, Silistria, 1862; Mrs John' Anderson (Isabella Allan, 79), "Waiwera South, Nelson 1842, Otago 30tli December, 1844. family after whom Anderson's Bay was named. The Secretary regretted that although this was the last week of the financial year a large amount was outstanding for unpaid subscriptions. It was resolved to deal at the annual meeting with all subscriptions then unpaid, and to notify members that subscriptions ior year ending 30th April, 1906, were due and payable next month (May).