CALEDONIAN SOCIETY OF OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 63

CALEDONI A N SOCIET Y OF OTA GO.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Caledonian Society of Otago was held in the Exeeieior Hotel on the 16th. There was an attendance of upwards of 60 members, and Mr R. Chishohn (president) was in the chair. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, -the President apologised for the fact that, through »1ne&s, he had been unable to give to the affairs of the society that time and at ten-

T tion that he would have wished. The work, however, had been remarkably well looked after by their secretary (Mr William Reid). • He wished personally to express his great 1 indebtedness to Mr Reid fcr valuable help ' received. He had also received great assisr- ' anc from, the vice-presidents, who had sacrificed much time and attention to the mii teiresfcs of the society. This wte the fortysixth annual report, and it said a great j deal for the society that it had seen many other associations and societies commenced in Dunedin under the most favourable auspices prosper exceedingly fcr a year or two, and. then die away. The Caledonian Society, like the green bay tree, continued to flourish and grow stronger year by year. The President then proceeded to go through the report clause by clause? making certain comments. One factor in the success of the -society should not be lost sight of: that was the necessity for constantly improving the grounds of the society, and thus making them, attractive to people seeking a ground suitable for picnics ox other purposes. It was in this direction that they could 'look for an increase in revenue. The reduction of the indebtedness of the society by £2000 durine the last decade redeemed very great credit upon the officers of the society. He hoped that be/ore another 10 years were passed the whole indebtedness of the society would be wiped off. There was just a possibility that the Railway Department would acquire a portion «f • their grounds, and . if that were so the proceeds of the' sale, properly invested, would do much to reduce the overdraft or pay interest on same. Whatever money was obtained in that way should be religiously earmarked, and «et aside to redeem ..the mortgage when it expired. The society had prospered, and should strive in every way to reduce its indebtedness. He regretted to note that the annual gathering had resulted in a Ices of £17 3s 2d, and, going on to speak on this matter, he strongly advocated the desirability of . the programme of prizes being made more atj tractive and more valuable. In such a position he strongly deprecated a cheeseparing policy with the idea of making the gathering pay. There were other towns close at hand which made their Caledonian gatherings attractive in every possible way, and it behoved the Oiag© Society to see j that ite programme did not lack stttraemeness. He formally moved the adoption of ■ the report and balance sheet. j Mr John Ogg seconded the motion. Mr James Brown regretted to notice that the society was not fulfilling the high purpose for which it was formed to the extent that was possible. The principal aim of the society should be to enconnige a. love of clean sport among the youth of the community; but he had noted that the young people did not patronise the gatherings, to 'the extent that could be desired, and that instead the games w*re held in an atmosphere of professionalism which prevented the ordinary youth from competing. He strongly urged ihe- society to encourage' a different kind of competition. Mr John Ogg epolcs to the same effect. The motion was put and carried. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr C. E. Keast. in accordance with notice given, moved- to amend Rule 6. division 1, by striking out the word " ten," and substituting the word " fifteen," and striking out all the words from " and." in the seventh line, to "society ' in the ninth line. He explained that the directors were at present elected every year by the 10 who had attended the least number of times retiring, and five others being bal- i j loted out. This, everyone would agree, was very unfair, and it was proposed that the ' 15 directors who attended meetings the , least number of times should be retired. i The motion was seconded and carried. ! Mr James Brown moved to add to Rule j 15: "And a professional auditor may be j appointed at a »fee to be fixed by the annual meeting." This was seconded and carried. DIItECTOBS AND OFFICE-BEARERS. j There were 20 directors to fee elected. J Fifteen were retired, four had resigned, and one was dead. The ballot resulted in the return of the following gentlemen :— Messrs Alexander 'Beec F. Bennett, Jam<«? D. Cameron, John Cameron. .T*meo Crawford. J. R. Fairbairn. Thomas Elliott, David M. Fea. John Gillie*, jun.. G-. W. Cough. J. ; A. Hoperaft. D. Mathieson. P. MilW. W. ' J. Moore, John MTJorotUd J. S. M'Beak. \ R. Powley, W. E. C. Reid, A. Sligo, jun., | R. Telfer. A meeting of director! 1 was immediately held, and the election of office-bearers took place. The following <*entl<emen were appointed : —President. Mr D. M^Pberson: vice-president*, Messrs Charles Speight and Alex. Gilliee; hon» treasurer. Mr f\ F. Greenslade ; eecretarv. Mr William Reid : auditor, Mr W. E. C. Reid (at a fee of' £3 3s). Mr M'Pherson wa« then escorted to the chair, where he returned thanks for his election, and promised to do hie utmost in ' the interests of the society. He strongly urged the directors to incre*£<» tho iwmberßhio from its present roll of 325 to 400 or 500. A smoke concert then took place, and a pleasant hour was spent in social intercourse.