TEMUKA CALEDONIAM SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2255, 17 September 1891, Page 3

TEMUKA CALEDONIAM SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of members of the Temuka Caledonian Society was held last evening at the Star Hotel. There was a good attendance, and the chair was taken by the President, Mr A. M. Clark. The chairman having made a few introductory remarks, the minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed, and he called upon the secretary to read the annual report and balance-sheet, which were as follows; — RETORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. The following is the third annual report of the Temuka Caledonian Society: Gentlemen, —Your directors have much pleasure in presenting to you the third annual report and balance-sheet, and desire to congratulate the members upon the financial position the society has attained,, which, in spite of adverse circumstances, still shows a progressive movement. Your directors would urge upon the individual members the desirability of bringing before their friends the social and educational advantages of joiningthis society, and would ask them to use their utmost endeavors to get as many to become members as possible. It must be admitted that the society is well worth supporting, more especially by the business people of the town, as no doubt it is the means of keeping a considerable stm'of money in the district which otherwise would be spent elsewhere. _ The balance-sheet which accompanies this report, and which will be duly read to you, shows that the financial year started with a credit balance of £2B 14s 4d and terminates with a credit balance of £64 2s fid, which your directors considers very satisfactory. You will notice by the balance-sheet that the attendance at the sports was the largest we have yet had, over £IOO being taken at the gates, which, without a doubt, shows that the general public appreciate the efforts of your directors in giving them a good day’s amusement. No doubt the beautiful park in which our sports are held, together with the liberal programme put forth by the society, will be the means of upholding the prestige which the gathering has attained. Your directors would here express their thanks to the members of the Park Board for the liberal and extensive improvements to the recreation grounds, which will not only be an advantage to the society, but to the different clubs and the public generally. The sum of £146 13s was expended in prizes, and it is confidently expected to increase this amount in future, as your directors are led to expect that with the track now being laid down, which will then be one of the best running tracks in in the colony, the entries will be considerably increased. Your directors have, as far as possible, endeavored to obtain the best talent available in the colony for the society’s concert, and with that end in view went to some considerable expense, viz., £44 6s 9d, holding that by doing so they not only please but educate the public, by bringingbefore them artists of fame. Notwithstanding the heavy outlay there was a credit balance of £l9 18s 9d. The impromptu dance held after the concert also showed a balance of £9 9s. To cement the members in that bond of friendship which is one of the main objects of the society, three “ inglesides ” have been held during the winter months, and it is hoped attained the results desired. The financial position of the “ inglesides ” combined show receipts £43 11s Bd, and expenditure £33 17s 6d, leaving a credit balance of £9 14s 2d. In August a grand fancy dress ball was held, at which there was a large attendance, and has done much to maintain the popularity of the society, and your directors were one and all proud of acting on your behalf on that occasion, when they heard from the visitors such comments of surprise pleasure afthe brilliancy and success of the gathering. The object of the directors in this respect was not so much the idea of making a profit as to have a “ guid old lang syne ” to wind up a pleasant and successful year The results show receipts £37 19s 6d, and expenditure £3912s lid, leaving a debit balance of £1 13s fid. Your directors consider this satisfactory, as we still show a very appreciable balance from the winter s entertainments, which is largely due to the very handsome donation of £8 presented by the president of the society, Mr ‘ Clark, to the social fund, and to Mr Guild fot a donation of £A ; also to other friends who contributed moneys to the same account. The thanks of the directors are due to the patron of the society, Mr A, E. G. Rhodes, for the-sum of £5 contributed to the prize fund, to Mr J. M. Twomey for £1 Is, and to other friends who contributed to the sanm fund. Ihe directors desire to record their thanks tc thei honorary piper, Mr Mabin, whose stirring strains have wafted us back to oui native hills, and in no small, degree contributed to the success of the _ differeni gatherings, and to all who contributed ii any way to the success of the several meet ings, especially to those ladies who _ s< kindly gave their services in dispensing refreshments at the “inglesides.” Inac

cordance with the amended rules all the directors and officers retire, and it will now be necessary to elect twenty directors. In conclusion your members would not wish the members to think they nave forgotten the main objects of the society, viz., benevolence, education, etc., as they wish it to be understood that they think it better to have a fund in hand sufficient to withstand any loss they may have by getting a wet day for their sports, and perhaps losing a considerable sum, and thereby crippling the society for some time. The balancesheet shows a cash balance of £64 2s sd, of which £3B 2s Id was made last season, and we have now real property valued at £4B. During the next season it is expected this will be increased considerably, as many expenses we have been put to this season will not be necessary again. Gentlemen, in closing this report there is no doubt the society can congratulate itself on being an undoubted success, and it now rests entirely with the society whether this success shall continue, and by electing efficient officers, who will take an interest in the society, supported by its members, there is no reason why it should not continue to be, as it now is, one of the most flourishing in New Zealand.” The balance-sheet showed the total receipts for the year, including a balance in hand of £2B 14s 4d. to have amounted to £440 4s. The principal items of this amount were: Members’ subscriptions, £54 10s; donations, £l4 Os 6d; proceeds of sports meeting (nominations £32 ss, gates £lO5 6s 6d, privileges £39 16s 6d), £177 18s; concert and dance, £B4; three inglesides, £43 11s Bd, and proceeds of ball, £37 19s 6d. The expenditure amounted to £376 Is 7d, the principal items being : Prize money and expenses in connection; with sports, £l9B 13s 6d; ingleside expenses, £33 17s 6d; concert do. £44 6s 9d; ball and dance, £49 18s sd; Temuka Odd-, fellows, for right of ground, _£10; bonus to secretary, £ls 15s; bagpipes, £8 10s; ticket box, £7 9s 6d; donation to Mechanics’ Institute, £1 Is; and sundry expenses amounting to £6 9s lid ; leaving a credit balance of £64 2s sd. The liabilities are nil, and the assets showed sundry properties valued at £4O; cash in bank, £64 2s sd; and promised subscriptions bagpipe fund, £8 ; total, £ll2 2s sd.

The chairman said that it gave him great pleasure in moving the adoption of the balance-sheet. Everything the society had taken in hand had prospered. It was not worth while to go in the details of the balance-sheet, but he would point out that various items of expense would not occur again. The Park Board had gone to considerable expense in preparing the track, and this would he a great saving. The bagpipes were also charged against expenditure, but towards this there were subscriptions in hand which he hoped would be sufficient to extinguish this amount. He begged to move the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. _ Mr Wareing had great pleasure in seconding the motion. The chairman then invited questions.

HTt Wareing said that he understood the society intend to give the Park Board £5 towards permanent grasses for the track. Could they not assist the volunteers in lining the large drill sheed ? It was a very draughty and disagreeable place. The chairman said that at a meeting of the directors previously held the same subject had been broached, and it was resolved that if the volunteers made any movement in that direction the society would give them every assistance, if not financially, at all events with their patronage. Mr Wareing said that he was not aware that the subject had been previously broached; The chairman’s remarks showed that the directors were awake to the importance of the question. The Chairman said that the next business would be the election of officers, and he would accordingly vacate the chair. Before doing so he wished to say that he felt proud to have been at the head of the society for the few years it had been started. It was now one of the most flourishing in the colony. He had heard it spoken of from Auckland to the Bluff, and in its management he had been ably helped by the officers of the society. He trusted it would go on in its career of success. It was pleasing to note that they were progressing steadily, and he felt confident that their future career would be more successful than the past. Mr Dignan, in a neat speech, moved a very cordial vote of thanks to the president and retiring officers. Their conduct of the affairs of the society showed that they had given their utmost attention to promoting its welfare. The motion was carried unanimously. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers was then proceeded with. Mr Quinn, in a few graceful remarks, moved that Mr Clark be re-elected president. No better man could be chosen to fill the position. Mr Henry seconded the motion, which was received with enthusiastic applause, the secretary, prior to putting the motion, made a few remarks eulogistic of the president. He had always displayed the utmost interest in the society, and from his own knowledge he felt no better man could be chosen. The motion was put and carried with applause. Mr Clark thanked them for the honour they had done him. He had come_ fully determined not to accept the position if offered, but after the way they had treated he felt that he could not decline the honour they had proffered him. The following gentlemen were elected directors : Messrs Quinn, Henry, Maze, Scannell, Archer, Mann, Angland, Mackay, Dann, Guild, Dignan, Naughton, Mason, J. McCaskill, Ackroyd, Rooney, McMillan, Russell, and McLeod, Messrs R. Pinckney and J. Gillespie acted as scrutineers.

■ [The remainder of this report will appear in our next issue.]