SOUTHLAND CALEDONIAN SOCIETY

Southland Times, Issue 16843, 20 September 1911, Page 6

SOUTHLAND CALEDONIAN SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Southland Caledonian Society was held in Allen’s Rooms last evening, Mr Jho. Matheson (President) presiding over an attendance of about thirty members. ANNUAL REPORT. The President, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balancesheet (which have been already published). said that in doing so he wished to congratulate the society on having got a little to the good so far as finance was concerned. Tie briefly refer-* red to some of the receipts for 'the last gathering, comparing them with the amounts for the previous year. Gate receipts had amounted to £226 10s, as against £l5B for the preceding year, £6S 10s to the good. Entry fees had amounted to £sl! 7s. as against £42 15s Gd ; but the (limiting entries had been Instrumental in bringing in £2.7 of the former amount, honalions had amounted to £24 14s Cd. as against £l7 19s Gd received in 1910. and the President took the opportunity to thank all the donors —there was a huge list of them — for the generous manner in which they had come to the support of the society. Incidentally he mentioned that the Directors themselves had dipped their hands into their pockets very liberally and many of their names were on the donors’ list for generous amounts. Their thanks due to Mr Wm. Martin for liis valued assistance in collecting a large portion of the donations. Receipts from members' subscriptions ( £SS Gs) showed a shortage of- £2l 14s. though there was an anipunt of £IS under tins head still outstanding. The Pre- idem said that the Directors had found the present system of collecting tickets very unsatisfactory, and It might be well to consider some other method of collecting members’ subscriptions. The secretary had collected a very large amount, hut It was found to lie irnpos Abie to collect them all. With retard to the expenditure. the nri/.e list laid amounted to £l6 1 8s 3d, os a gain-t £17:1 9s Gd In 1910. The Dl-u-ci .rs had voted prize-money £25 in of the former amount, but owing io t .■ poor entries in ileld events a saving of thad been effected.- The exnendit u - . e on lunches had amounted to i;r. ; G Gil. as against £l7 in the pre-vP-u car tti satisfactory saving), and the ’about’ had not cost so mucin There w.s a credit balance of £93 10s 7d. le-imng £S4 3s 7d to the good'after all liabilities had been met. At the same, time, if the entries had been as they .-hnukl. tiro society would not have been more than £4O to the good. The president mentioned that the society’s lease of Cueen’s Patk expired on Ist December next, but as the rental had been paid up to March they had the right to use the Park for Hio next games. A (.ommittee had been appointed to look into the question of taking Rugby Park i-.i- the games, but the matter bad been held up in the meantime pending the decision of the Town Council with retard to the leasing of the parks fm- ;ill l If! if purposes. Since the last meeting the old vexed question of the difference will: the Athletic Union had been settled. -—( Applause.) it was unnecessary. the President said, to refer to yu- matter at length, but the Union bad given the society all that was ever a-iked. As they were all aware their secretary (Mr A. A. Paape) bad recently been appointed to a very important position.— (Applause.) It would be r.ece-sary for the society to get someone to dll the vacancy caused by Mr Paape’s resignation. In conclusion tlie President thanked the Directors for the way they had rallied round at the last gathering, even to the bowlers.—■ (Applause.) lie had had his doubts about the howlers at first, but they had all rolled up.--( Applause.) Mr T. A. Walalce seconded the motion for the adopl ion of the report. He said that the members generally were gratified at the prosperity that had attended the society during the past year. They were satisfied that a great deal of it had been brought about by the President. Air Wallace expressed appreciation of the tact and careful management with which the President had brought about a settlement of the difficulty witli the Athletic Union. With reference to tb.e arrangement with the Park Hoard the society would have to -carefully consider the matter of a ground. It was unfortunate that there was no cycling track at Rugby Park, but in view of the Council’s prospectswith regard to tiie reserves some decicision would have to be come .to before next annual, .Mr Wallace spoke with approval of the way in which expenses had been kept down at the last games.

Mr A. MacGrosor also spoke to me ' motion. He thought that the matter of arranging for a ground lor future games should be decided by tlie Directors. The report and balance-sheet were unanimously ad op ted. O FKICK- BE A RK RS. Office-bearers for the ensuing year were elected as follows : Pre-ddent. Mr .John Matheson (reelected), The appointment was received with cordial applause. i Vcc-Presldents. Messrs D. A. Mitchell. J. Holloway, and R. Hustle (reelected). Auditors. Messrs J. 10. Hannah and W. Young. ■ . Directors —Messrs Wm. Timpany. T. M. Rankin. C. W. Wilson. R. Taylor, W. Baird. W. Jenkins, and G. Munro I for 11 years), A. R. Porter (for J years), and ,1. McCrostie (one year). The Directors already in office were Messrs Jno. MacGregor. J. llamlyn. _T. Timpany. J. H. Loudon, J. Timpany, Lieut.Col. Thomson (retire 1913) ; and Messrs T. A. Wallace. W. Murdoch. A. McNeil, das. -Macgrogor. Geo. Taylor, and A. D. McGavock retire 1912). MR PA A PE’S RESIGNATION. The President announced that he had received tlie following communication from Mr A. A. Paape. ; “1 regret very much that my early removal from Invercargill compels me to tender my resignation as your secretary—a position which I have had the honaur and the pleasure of holding lor a number of years. I appreciate far more than I can adequately express the kindly consideration at all times shown to me by yourself and the Directors. The experience I have gained ns secretary of the society has been instrumental in filling me for a higher position. I shall have a very warm corner towards the Caledonian Society of Southland. and. although removed from Invercargill. I will look forward to periodical visits to this town.”' ' The President mentioned that the resignation would be considered by the directors. Lieut.-Col. Thomson said that he thought he was voicing tlie feelings of the members and the competitors when he expressed very great regret at Mr Paape's departure but congratulated him on his appointment. He moved : "That the Caledonian Society, while congratulating Mr Paape on his appointment, regret very much the necessity that has arisen for him to sever his connection with the society. Colonel Thomson briefly eulogised Mr Paape as an energetical, smart, and methodical secretary. Mr A. McNeil seconded the .motion. He said that Mr Paape had. given his best efforts to the society, which had benefited very much by his connection with It. He was sure that Mr Paape would find plenty of scope for his abilities in h’ls new position and (he had admitted he had learned something from them) would do credit to the society’s teaching.. Messrs W. Timpany. Jas. Macgregor, W. Baird, C. W. Wilson, T. Crawley, A. MacGregor, and the President, all spoke in similar terms of approbation and appreciation of Dir Paape as a straightforward, invariably courteous man, who was untiring in his efforts to do a good turn for any person or society that applied to him for a helping hand. Mr Paape was overwhelmed by. the manly any quietly expressed tributes of genuine regard and good will- that were paid to him and It may be accounted to him for merit that his usual facility In adequate speech totally failed him on this occasion. ■ OTHER BUSINESS. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Pipe Band for their attendance at the meeting and to Pipers Jenkins and Wilson for contributing solos during the evening. A special vote of thanks was conveyed to the donors of cash and special prizes. Tlie President intimated that the Directors would be-pleased to hear, before the programme for the next New Y ear Games was drawn out, of any suggestions that might be made for the good of the meeting. A suggestion made by Mr Jas. Macgregor in connection with the celebration of Halloween Eve was noted for consideration. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.