S. C. CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3747, 5 October 1886, Page 3

S. C. CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

♦ I Tho annual general meeting of tho South 'Canterbury Caledonian Society was hold m the Mechanics' lnstitute last evening. There was n largo number of members present, and Mr Alex. Sinclair (President) occupied tho After the minutes of the previous meeting had been confirmed, tho directors' report was read as follows : — " Your directors congratulate the society on now holding grounds of its own, a lease of eight acres of tiie reserve at Pc.titi Point having been obtained for 21 years from the Ist February last- at the annual rental of £3. This ground has been strongly fenced, and a substantial store shed (which will also serve for a ticket-sellers' office), has been erected thereon. It is m course of being levelled and terraced, according to tho plan 3 of Messrs Meason nnd Marchant ; a shrubbery hin course of formation ; and arrangements have been made for laying the grounds down m grass. Tho sum now expended upon improvements amounts to £103 13s lid, which, when existing contracts are completed, will bo increased to £691 9s sd. It is not proposed to expend any further sum at {present upon permanent improvements, excepting upon labor for fencing the track. Tbe Levels Road Board haro agreed to form a road m continuation of that now existing, which will lead past the magazino to the main gates of the grounds. " Ihe annual gathering upon Ist and 2nd January lust, was a pronounced success ; tho attendance being very 'largo and the entries comparing favorably with those for former years. The concerts also drew enormous houses, and resulted m a substantial addition to the funds. The thanks of the society aro due to the ladies and gentlemen who so cheerfully gave their services at theße very popular entertainments, and to the committee who so ably managed them. " During the year there have been 11 meetings of directors which have been well attended. The directors who retire under tho provisions of rule 6 aro — Messrs D. Maclean, D. Stuart, J. Meikle, J. Bruce, J. Fraser, and fire to bo chosen by ballot. All, howaver, with tho exception of Mr J. Meikle, who has left tho district, are eligible for resleclion. Tho absenco of Mr Meiklo will necessitate the revision of tho list of trustees." The balance-sheet was also read and showed tho principal receipts to be— for sales of privileges, £94 15s ; entries, £3G 0s ; cash taken at gates, £252 16s ; subscriptions, £57 12s Gd ; nett proceeds of concerts, £75 ; and expenditure — prizes paid m cash, £207 12s 6d ; goods, £70 14s 4d ; contracts, £119 2s W. The report and balance- sheet wera unanimously adopted. Mr Jowaey moved, and Mr R. Mnckay seconded — " That the directorate comprise 15 members." — Lost. Mr Alex. Sinclair, beforo ho left the President's chair, made a few remarks upon tho successful rise of the society since it was first started m 1576, when tho first meeting was held m the old show grounds, and the only <( kilties "present were ono piper nnd one dancer. Ho said ho had the pleasure of dancing the first reel m Timaru. He compared the programme of the first year with that of last meeting, and said he had framed the Erst programme and the photo of the first gathering on tho new ground at Patiti Point. Tho new ground was a really good one, and ho felt quite proud of the society having secured bucu a good one. Be would like to see special trains running from Christchurch, and a steamer from Dunediu. The trip would be a pleasant one, and he was suro would be enjoyed by all who came. He was pleased to tell members the Christchurch and Dunedin Highlanders had promised to send representatives to the next gathering. He also spoke highly of the success of the Scotch concerts, and said he was sure members would be grieved to learn that ono of their best singers (Miss Innes), would sing for tho lust time m Timaru, nt their next New Year concerts, as she intended leaving for Scotland. He thanked all the members and officers, especially the secretary, for their kindness m helping him to carry out his duties, and m conclusion, wished tho society every success m the future. (Cheers.) Mr Jowsey moved that Mr Sinclair be reelected to the Presidentship, and m doing so paid him a high compliment for the manner m which he had carried out his duties, and for his courtesy to all, aud to whose past efforts the success of the society was m a great measure due. Mr Macpherson seconded the motion. Mr Sinclair, however, declined the honor, and Mr Henderson proposed, and Mr Ferguson seconded, that Mr Guun be elected. — Carried. Mr Gunn, on taking the chair, returned thanks for his election. Five directors having been balloted ont, nnd (ivo retiring by rotation, the following new directors were elected :— Messrs R. Mackny, J. Ogilvie, I). M. McKay, A. J. Quelch, C. Palliser, W. Evans, D. Stuart, J. Fraser, D. Maclean. Mr J. Meikle, one of the trustees, having left the district, Mr Gunn, tha now President, was, on the motion of Mr R. Mackay, elected m place of Mr Meikle. As next New Year's Day falls on a Saturday, Mr Jowsey moved, and Mr R. Mackay seconded, that the sports be held on the Monday and Tuesday. Mr Fraser moved and Mr Davidson seconded as an amendment, that the sports be held on Saturday and Monday. The motion was carried. This business closed the general meeting, and a meeting of the Directors was then held, when the election of officers was proceeded with. Messrs Ferguson and O'Driscoll were elected Vice-Preßidents. Mr J. G-. Macpheraon was re-elected Treasurer. The following Committees were elocted :— Finance : Messrs Maokay, Jowaey and Ferguson ; Games and Grounds : Messrs Jones, Jowsey, Henderson, Sinclair, Stuart, R. Mackay, Evans, Palliser and Fraser, the Secretary to be convener j Concerts : Messrs Sinclair, Gunn, Courtis, Ferguson, Macpherson and R. Mackay. Mr Jowsey said the thanks of the Society were due to Mr Sinclair for the nork he had done for the Society, and bo thought a minute [mould be placed on tho books recording the Society* high appreciation of his past services.

The President fully bore out \v!i ,t -MiJowsey said, nnd it wns unanimously decide! to place the minuto on the books. i The meeting then closed with tho usi:al ! compliment to the Chairman.