NELSON COLLEGE OLD BOYS'

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13738, 2 June 1913, Page 3

NELSON COLLEGE OLD BOYS'

ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING

' Tho annual meeting of the Nelson College Old Boys' Association was held in the Nelson Institute building on I Saturday evening. Dr. ,S. A. Gibbs L(president) was in tho chair. The annual report read by the secretary, Mr. H. P. Kidson, was as follows:—

"Fives Courts: In pursuance of the authorisation given at the last annual general meeting, the committeel sent out over a thousand circulars to all old boys resident in New Zealand, and to a few in Australia, appealing for funds for presenting a fives court to the school. As a result the sum of £53 6s was received. It was decided to supplement the liG-t receipts out of the funds of the association, and to hand over £75 to the Board of Governors, who. will proceed with the construction of the courts as soon as possible. "Grounds: Thanks to the horse mower and roller presented by the Old Boys' Association, the College ground, which, was leveled by subscription amongst old boys, has steadily improved, and is now in first class? condition. ''Enrolment: A final effort has been made by soliciting tho aid of old boys resident in other districts to enrol all old Nelscnians. As a result 141 new members -have been obtained. Of these twelve are life members. Tin's brings jthe- total membership up to 619. "Old Boys' Register: A supplementary list has been published of names of boys who have lout, and who have entered since the last edition of the register was published. This .has increased the demand for the copies of the register that .remain. A canvass, partieuh:ly :uiio;igst boys at College, has resulted in 30 copies being sold. This lessens very considerably the debt oil the register. There are eighty .copies stili left, and about thirty of those originally ordered are still unpaid .for. The compiling of the . supplementary list will bo a- most useful work..

"Fin-uncos: In spite of a generous donation from the association's funds to the fives courts fund, finances &if in .1 very satisfactory state. There is a credit balance of £52 2s lOd. Of this £14 9s 2d is still advanced to the register fund, leaving an actual cash balance j of £37 13s Bd. In every way the year has been a successful one. "Recommendations: Tho committee suggest that the question as to whether the association should adopt a blaster and a metal badge should be discussed at this general meeting. They also would recommend to the meeting that the annual report and balance sheet be published, and sent to all inembe<rs of tho association, and to such other old boys as it may be deemed advisable, and that if the cost is not prohibitive, a list of members be attached thereto." The report and balance sheet were adopted. The president s-nid tho committee was of opinion that the affairs of the association were in a. very satisfactory condition. A.matter for consideration was tho proposed printing of the roport, and circulating it amongst all old boys. Practically the only time some old boys were brought into touch with tho association was when requests were being sent round .for subscriptions, and the committee felt it ivould be well to have gome communication with old boys that was not soliciting for money.

The suggestion regarding the printing of the report, etc.", was moved as a motion, and carried unanimously. At this stage of the proceedings Dr. Gibbs received an urgent call, and on leaving the. room ho stated that it was his intention not to accept office as president this year. Those associat|ed with him had done their best for the ! association, and had made his work light and pleasant. He did not think it was right for one man to hold office too long, and, besides, others should have the highest honour old boys could confer on one of their number. On leaving tho room Dr. Gibbs was given three- hearty cheers. Mr. W. Rout, as senior vice-presi-dent, was then voted to the chair. After general discussion, it was resolved that the association approve the adoption of a blazer, the design to bo left with the committee.

It was ajso decided that the question of a metal badge for old boys be left to the incoming committee to deal with. The chairman said all would regret thr,t Dr. Gibbs could not see his way to oontinuo to fill tho otfico of president. Ho had given whole-hearted attention to tho work, and had done much to advance toe interests of the association. The chairman, in proposing that Mr. W. Devcnish be elected president, referred to the great interest ho took in all matters connected with Nelson Col.ego. He had worked heart and soul for the association, and the speaker prophesied a prosperous year under his direction. The motion was seconded, and carried with much enthusiasm.

Tho election of other officers resulted as follows:—Vice-presidents: Nelson, Br. Gibbs and Messrs. W. Rout, E. S. Crosswell, N. Adams and C. H. Broad; Wellington, Messrs J. P. Firth, T. W. Fleming, J. W. Bartlett; Auckland, Mossrs. 0. T. Major, F. H. Levien; Christchurch, Dr. Evans; Tiraaru, Mr. J. H. Moore; Napier, Mr. It. T. Sadd; Blenheim, Mr. A. H. Adams; New Plymouth, Mr. J. H. Fowler: Waitaki, Mr. F. Milner; Wahganui, Mr. T. R. Saywell; Greymouth, Dr. Mprico • England, Mr. J. W. Joynt; Edinburgh, Professor Leighton. Secretary and trc-asurer: Mr H. P. Kidson (re-elected unopposed with applause).-. Committee: Mossrs. C. R. Fell, C. Harley, H. Leaner, N. Vercoo, J. Houlkor, E. R. Neale, X.'Saxon, L. Baigent^ F. A. Thompson. It was reso'ivod that hoarty congratulp.tions ho ■ sent to the Otago High School Old Boys' Association in connection with tho coming jubilee of the school. The new president (Mr. "VV. Devenish) took the chair at the close of the meeting, and returned thanks for the honour conferred upon him. As it had been in the past, so it would ho in the future, his earnest desire to further the interests of the association by every moans in his power. A vote of thanks to the chair brought the meeting to a close.