EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION

Otago Witness, Issue 3769, 8 June 1926, Page 59

EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. A GOOD YEAR'S WORK. The annual meeting of the Otago Early Settlers’ Associatiou was held on the 31st in the board loom of the Early Settlers' Hall. The president, Mr W. Nicholson, presided over a good attendance. In moving the adoption of the annual report (already published), which was tanen as read, the President said that the association had again had a very good year, lheir museum had received favourable comments from thousands of visitors during the Exhibition time. Their secretary, Mr Peterson had had a very busy time, and had had to be in practically continuous attendance at the museum. Numbers of the yisitors had said that there was not such another collection in the world or at any rate south of the line. The interest aroused had led to the enrolment of many new members, and the society continued to carry on a very useful work in the community. The anniversary gatherings this year were again largely attended and very much en*°Mr * Crosby Morris seconded the motion, and said it was very satisfactory to know that the work of the society continued to interest so many different classes. Their museum interested many who had no direct connection with the early days. iheii chief problem in the future was to find the necessary accommodation. Whether a solution was to be found by the Art Society going to Logan Park he did not know but if so ho hoped their society would obtain the present Art Gallery as an addition to their premises. He would be sorry to see the art collection go from its present p ace, but if it was to go he did not think it could lie put to better use than for their museum. , . „ Mr F. W. Knight suported the previous speaker, and said they were certainly very much restricted for space at the present time. The removal of the Art Gallmy had been spoken of for a long time. He understood the association had a direct interest in the buildings. Their interest in them certainly came before that of any other institution, and if they could acquire those two rooms it would save them from spoiling the appearance of their present buildings. He had moved some months ago that they set up a committee to watch developments in this matter. He complimented the president and their offifficers on the great success of their museum. The report was adopted. A cheery letter of greeting was read from Mr Charles Francis, of New York, now 78 years of age, who is an interested member of the association. The secretary was directed to send a suitable acknowledgment and greeting from the meeting. The financial statement, presented by the treasurer, Mr James Brown, showed assets amounting to £9IOO 0s 7d. The receipts for the year amounted to £IO7O 18a (including £585 for rent and £445

from subscriptions), and the expenditure to £717, leaving a balance in hand of £253. They had nearly £IOOO in cash, which would be very useful when they came to consider alterations. He moved the adoption of the balance sheet. Mr E. Webster seconded the motion for the adoption of the balance sheet, which was carried. The annual election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr W. Nicolson; vicepresidents—Messrs E. C. Hazlett, J. Hope, j Crosby Morris, F. W. Knight, A. M‘Kinnon, J. Loudon; treasurer, Mr E. Webster; committee—Messrs W. H. Fercns, J. A. Roberts, D. J. Calder, W. Blackie, W. A. Thomson, J. W. Patton, C. C. Robertson, James Brown, J. M’Lachlan, R. S. J. A. Macdonald, G. Brown, and A. Eccles, auditors—Messrs Hector Mercer and R. Duthie. . Hearty thanks were accorded to Mr James Brown, the retiring secretary, for his careful and assiduous attention to the duties of his office. On the motion of the President, hearty thanks were accorded to the press for the space it accorded to the work of the association, and a similar vote was accorded to Mr D. Tannoek for care of the gardens. Mr F. W. Knight moved that it be a recommendation to the committee to acquire the__ engine Josephine for permanent exhibition as an adjunct to their museum, provided that suitable arrangements could be made and the cost was not too great. He believed that nothing would so effectively show the progress that our country had made. The engine could be placed on the plot near the present engines. The President said the committee had decided to accept the engine, and was now making arrangements. Mr Morris said his understanding was that a committee had been set up to report as to a suitable site for the engine. Ho would support Mr Knight’s motion very cordially. They would be making a very great mistake if they missed this opportunity. The President said Mr Morris was correct. They would accept Mr Knight’s motion, which met with the approval of the meeting as a recommendation to the general committee.