PORT CHALMERS OLD IDENTITIES’ ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3523, 20 September 1921, Page 53

PORT CHALMERS OLD IDENTITIES’ ASSOCIATION.

On Thursday evening- tbs ninth annual meeting of the Port Chalmers Old Identities’ Association was held in the Town Hall.' Mr E. Knew stub b (president) was in the chair. He said it was a pleasure to meet tho members again, and he thanked them for turning out that evening.

The annual report stated that during the year all the monthly meetings of the committee were regularly attended, and enthusiasm was shown in the work. Their president (Mr E. Knewstubb) had taken a live interest in the work, along with his committee, during the year. The quarterly meetings had been largely attended, and great interest manifested by members. Papers of reminiscences of early had been read by Messrs Knewstubb, G. B. Neale, D. A. I)e Mans (on behalf of I. Carey, Invercargill), J. M'Lachlan (on behalf of Mr H. Erridge), and T. J. Thomson, all of which were listened to with, great .attention. The thanks of the association were due to all those who contributed to these meetings. The thanks of the association were also due to the various singers and others who contributed to the social part of the programme at the quarterly meetings, and to Miss Mackie, their accompanist. Last year the association decided to give a prize to the senior scholars of the Port Chalmers District High School for the best essay on the early history of Otago, and appointed Dr Fulton judge of same (which he kindly accepted), and as a result he gave the following decision:—lst, W. Legal (Waitati); 2nd, Thomson (Port Chalmers); 3rd, Miss E. Fletcher 'Hansford Town). Thanks to the generosity of their president, they had been able to give two extra prizes. The essay written by W. Legal was read at the quarterly meeting, and much appreciated; the others were to be read at this meeting. During tho year the annual picnic was held at Mount Royal, at the invitation of Mr Isaac Stevenson. Again, Mr Isaac Stevenson invited them to hold their next annual picnic at his homestead, Mount Royal. The association had much to thank him for in what he had done, and in his generous offer for the next picnic. The thanks of the association are due to him for his generous offer, and it was suggested that a letter be sent acknowledging same. The number on the roll last year was 282, joined during the year 20, less removed by death and left association 7; leaving a membership of 255. Members and relatives removed by death during year: —Miss M. Osborn, Miss Omond, Mr Geo. B. Neale (attended meeting on 17th March, and while enjoying a game of bowls on the Otago Green suddenly expired), Mrs Joan White, Mihiwaka (one of the Blueskin and PurakaUui roads oldest identites); Misses Osborn (daughters of Mr and Mrs James Osborn), Mr Leslie Fullerton (son of Mr and Mrs Archibald Fullerton), Mr Alexander Stevenson (son of Mr and Mrs Isaac Stevenson), Mr Edmond Shields, Mr Frederick Monson (son of the late Mr and Mrs J. R. Monson), Mr Alexander Lock (assistant secretary). Of the last-named, the association had lost its most faithful and energetic member. As assistant secretary he was always in his place. Nothing for tho furtherance and welfare of tho association was a trouble to him; time was no object in the carrying out of the work which he loved, and they all felt deeply the loss they had sustained. Tho jubilee of the school at Lower Harbour was held, April, 1921, but unfortunately it was 53 years instead of 50 years since the school was opened there. Mr E. Knewstubb (their president), Mr Do Mans, and Mr M'Lachlan were invited to be present, and attended. Presentations made' to the association during the year:—Mr and Mrs C. Ley on presented a photo of themselves; Mr E. Godfred and Mrs Cox presented several old books and periodicals ; photograph of Mr Andrew Fleming, first schoolmaster, Lower Harbour (presented by his brother, Mr Thomas Fleming). The annual balance sheet, duly audited, showed

ft credit balance of £l7 5s Bd. A special vote of thanks was due to our Ladies’ Committee for providing tea at the annual meeting, and for the work of catering to invited guests at the annual picnic. They had to thank the Waikouaiti Association for the invitation to their annual picnic, which a great number of the members had the pleasure of attending. It was hoped that the kindly feeling existing between the associations would long be cherished. They had also to thank Dr

Fulton (president) and the committee of the Otago Early Settlers’ Society for the kind invitation to their annual reunion, and were glad so many of the members availed themselves of the opportunity to meet their Dunedin friends. This promoted a closer bond of sympathy between the parent society and the younger institution. It was hoped that members would work to keep up the membership, and help more in the collection of

subscriptions from members with whom they came in contact. It was only by concerted action by everyone doing a little that they could make a great success of the association, and members could feel sure they would have the thanks of the committee and the appreciation of the secretarial staff. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the Chairman said that although they had gone back financially, the money had been -well expended on their picnic. Quito a number of young people were not aware (hat they were eligible for membership in the association. It should bo made more widely known that membership was open to all young people whose parents arrived up to 1875. Tho report was adopted. The election of officers resulted: —Mr \V. Love, president; Messrs J. M. Stevenson, J. Harland, J. Jackson, J. Pickard, vice-presi-dents; Messrs J. Mill, «. L. Asher, J. M‘Lachlan, D. A. Do Mans, I. Isbister, E. Knewstubb, past presidents on committee; Mr J. M'Lachlan, secretary; Mr J. Harland, assistant secretary; Mr D. M. Mawson, auditor; Mesdames Thomson, Mas ire. Love, Miss Pickard, Ladies’ Committee; Messrs Osborn, Jones, Hemp seed, M ‘Gregor, J. Smith, T. Hoskins, committee; Miss Mackie, pianist. Mr J. Mill said the prospects of the association continuing to prosper were very promising. Ho paid a tribute to deceased members. A nice musical programme was submitted.