RE-ELECTION OF CHIEF

Southland Times, Issue 24181, 18 July 1940, Page 4

RE-ELECTION OF CHIEF

St. Andrew’s Scottish Society TRIBUTES TO SERVICE OF MR WATSON Mr J. L. McG. Watson was re-elected chief of the St. Andrew s Scottish Society at the annual meeting. Tributes to the long service he had given as chief since the inception of the society 27 years ago were paid and the meeting was unanimous that he should continue in office. There was a fair attendance of members. The annual report stated that the society was pleased to record the return to Invercargill of Mrs John Miller. Mr William Campbell, secretary of the society, had departed on active service and his place had been filled temporarily by Miss Isabel Thompson, now Mrs Ayres, of Wyndham, and later by Miss McKenzie. “The meetings throughout the year have been considerably curtailed by the war,” said the report. “In spite of this great handicap, however, they have been enjoyable and outstanding success marked the Burns supper held this year in Smith’s tea rooms when a good attendance listened to an address by the Rev. Hugh Graham, supported by a programme of fine artists. A Burns supper was an innovation which met with universal approval among members. During the year also the society was fortunate in being so ably entertained at a Hallowe’en gathering by the members of women’s committees. Then again Mr Alex Sutherland provided the entertainment on one evening and Mr L. C. Dailey produced real talent on the occasion of his visit last month. To Mr John Fisher, of Otautau, the society is indebted for a further instalment of his excellent ‘Travels in Scotland’ lecture. “Taking the year’s activities on the whole, the results, while financially disappointing, have further consolidated Scottish sentiment both among members and visitors. As an additional incentive to promote our war efforts, recreation is not only desirable, but necessary to keep us in good heart.” Messrs W. Farnie, Peter Bayne and A. McMurdo were elected chieftains. The election of councillors was referred to the committee to complete. Miss McKenzie was appointed temporary secretary. Three new members were proposed and elected.