COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3380, 25 December 1918, Page 37

COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Dunedin Competitions Society was held on the 19th inst. Mr J. Rennie presided, and there were about a dozen members present. The committee reported that the last festival had been very successful, although the male sections, as could only have been expected, had been somewhat weak. The dancing sections proved to be very attractive, and considerable interest was also shown. in the fife and driim band contest. The financial position had considerably improved during the year, the credit balance rising from £77 7s Id to £206 17s Bd. To a large extent this was due to Messrs A. C. Hanlon and W. R. Brugh, who saved the society the expense of an elooution judge. Special thanks were due to them and to the judges of the original story, original poem, fancy dancing, and Scotch dancing sections; to Messrs C. Begg and, Co. and the Bristol Piano Company for offering scholarships in the instrumental sections; to Mr S. H. Osborn for offering a scholarship for elocutionary competitions; also to the Dunedin Burns Club, the Bristol Piano Company, C. Begg and Co., J. Willde and Co., Mr T. P. Williamson, and Mrs Montague for donations and special prizes. Mr E. Towsey's genial presence had been greatly missed from the stage, and all hoped that he would bo restored to health and strength again. The committee joined in the Empire s rejoicing on the victory achieved, and hoped to have the pleasure of welcoming to the next festival many competitors who had been serving at the front. The report was adopted, on the motion of the ohairman, who congratulated the society on coming out so well under unfavourable conditions.

The following retiring members of the committee were re-elected: —Messrs R. A. Ewing, J. L. Salmond, Dr Hall, and Dr Roberts. Mr W. T. Monkman was reappointed auditor. Votes of thanks were accorded to the ! resident (Mr J. Rennie) and the secretary Mr E. S. Wilson).