OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2719, 25 April 1906, Page 34

OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

A committee meeting, held in the office of the Early Settlers' Association on Monday evening, was attended by Messrs Donald Reid (in the charr), Duke, Duthie. Crawley, Ferens, Proudfoot (treasurer), and Langlacds (secretary). The Secretary reported the Balc'.utha-Miiton picnic, under the auspices of the association, was held at Balclufcha. on the 16th February, • and was an unqualified success. Ths suit- I rounding districts were well represented. Kai- . tangata especially so — in fact, judging by the ( amount subscribed, number of representatives, and general enthusiasm, Kaitangata enters into Ihe spirit of the thing as li it were a function of its own. The local committee, with Mr Sinclair Wright (chairman) and Mr ( R R. Grigor (secretary) were untiring in their efforts to promote the comfort and enjoyment of the visitors (of whom it was estimated over 1400 were p.esent), and succeeded while the Ladies' Committee, utterly forgetful of self, j devoted all its time to the same laudable pur- j pose, earning grateful thans from all present. ! It is invidious to mention names where all ' did well, but certainly Mesdames Low and I Sinclair "Wright deserve special mention. The Catering Committee had provided refreshments on such a liberal scale that baskets could almost hay« been dispensed wuh. and for the expenditure on this, and on the prizes, which were both numerous and valuable, the Finance Committee must be congratulated on its methods as, including a balance from last meeting O'ear 1904), it has now the handsome sum of £19 odd to its credit. It may be also noted as satisfactory that the Milton and Waikouaiti local committees have each a substantial sum to the good). Space will not allow mention of the many praiseworthy aruuige- , ments made, notably music and vehicles, but • it is pleasing to place on record that this j g-athering was the mean 3 of bringing so I many genuine pioneers together to their great satisfaction, all vessels that arrived in 184S being represented, as well a3 several of 1849 and later dates. Some of the names were given in -the Daily Times of 17th February, and a more detailed list in the local papers. The day being ideal, the affair may be summed up as a " triumph." The anniversary reunion on the 33rd March, 1906, was held "in His Majesty's Theatre, annexe, and Tictona Hall (kindly granted for the occasion by Mr H. C. Campbell, manager), and was largely attended, many members from the country putting in an appearance. Addresses appropriate to the occasion -neie given by the President (Mr Donald Reid). Mr W. B. Scandrett (Mayor of Invercargiil. a valued member of the association), Mr Dugald M'Pherson (chief of the Gaelic Society), and Mr Robert Oilkison (president of the Dunedin Burns Club). The Caledonian Society was represented by Mr William Iteid, secretary (the president, Mr Roderick M'Kenzie being out of town). Votes of thanks were passed to Mis A. E Lormg. Miss Jean Dunsmuir, and Mr J T. Pram for their choice and tastefully rendered vocal contributions, to Mr Paul Lemon as i accompanist, and, in ihe absence oi the secretary taking charge of the programme ; to the ladles generally who so liberally provided for the tables; to the commi<tee of ladies who free'.y gave -their services during the whole afternoon and evening in connection with the tables; to the young ladies, their -willing assistants who hnnded round refreshments; and to Mrs Burton an Mr Thomas Don for their musical services at the concluding pprt of the celebration.. j It was r«3olved to congratulate Mr and Mrs j William Wright, Union street, on having cele- | brated then golden wedding, and to -wish j them many years of health and happiness. j This being the last month of the financial . year, the annual meeting taking place nerf month (Msiy), it was resolved that the treasurer prepare balance sheet, and secretary annual leport, to be brought up next meet-

As the secretary is yet unable to call on members, and it is important the request made by the president (Mr Donald Reid) at the anniversary celebration, that subscriptions not yet paid for year ending April 30, ISO 6, be at once paid in, the office is open continuously during business hours to receive such (this being the last week of the financial year). Five new membsrs were enrolled. The following deaths were recorded: — Mrs W. H. Mansicrd (68), Dunedin. Victory. 1848; Charles Taylor (G5), Stirling, Slams Castle, 1552; Henry Swallow (72), Otepopo, Scotia, 1319; J. Nugent Wood (80), Orepuki, 1861. „