PORT CHALMERS OLD IDENTITIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 69

PORT CHALMERS OLD IDENTITIES.

ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION.

The weather was fine and the attendance was good at the annual meeting of the Port Chalmers Old Identities’ Association, held on Thursday evening in the Town Hall. Mr A. Johnson (president) was in the chair, and his welcome to visitors was cordial, they being invited to the platform. It was a pleasant gathering. One of the members on whom was conferred the distinction of life membership was Mr John Inches Thompson, whose pioneering experiences were graphically recorded in a recently published book. During the year the excellent programmes given by Mrs Morgan were much appreciated, the report stated, and the best thanks of the association had been accorded her and her party for their valuable services. Mrs Morgan had been elected an honorary member of the association and presented with a dinner wagon in recognition of her assistance. During the year the association had lost by death Airs Woolsey, Aliss Duncan, Airs Gardner, Air J. Gibbs, Captain Welch and Air J. Purdie. Thirty-seven new members were enrolled during the year. For their untiring services since the inception of the association Alesdaines G. Thomson, T. Basire, W. Love and Aliss Pickard were made life members; also Messrs J. I. Thomson and E. Godfred and Airs Olsen. The finances were satisfactory, the credit balance being £4O. The usual picnic was not held last season, the committee not having made a recommendation to that effect owing to the deficits on previous picnics. The annual report and balance sheet, after being read by the secretary (Air E. Knewstub.b), were adopted on the motion of Air J. AL Harland, seconded by Air J. Farquharson. The chairman said he was pleased to note the good attendance of the members, for it was good to meet and renew acquaintances which in many cases extended well back through the years which had passed since the pioneers laid the foundations on which New Zealand was rising to nationhood. Every gathering of the association was a remembrance coupled with an unfailing resolve to achieve the ideals which inspired the pioneers. Reviewing the past year’s activity the chairman acknowledged indebtedness to the secretary and to the committee for their valuable services to the Association. He wished to thank their past president (Mr J. Farquharson) for his outstanding service in writing another of his musical pageants featuring the early days of colonisation. The latest pageant had, by invitation been staged in various town by Airs Gorman and her capable party, and had been well received. That had redounded to the advantage of the association and brought its objects realistically before many audiences. Such service was indeed very meritorious.

The evening’s programme was supplied by Airs J. D. Alorgan. The first part, ballet by the Wickliffe school of dancing, wa greatly annreciated. This was followed by a pleasing performance rendered by the following:—Mesdames J. Johnson, G. Gray, Al. Andrews and Aliss H. Wilson. Alessrs D. APPhcrson, W. Walkinshaw, G. Smithe, L. Jack, J. Thorne and R. Alilnes.

Refreshments were provided by the ladies committee, and the gathering was closed with the singing of “Auld'Lang Syne.”