CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 26 June 1926, Page 12

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

DIRECTORS’ REPORT. The following report will be submitted by the directors to the member's of the South Canterbury Caledonian Society at the annual meeting to be held to-night:—

Finance. —The balance sheet shows a credit of £32G 2s 3d, to which has to be added the amount of £49 Is 4d, being sundry creditors, since paid, making a total casli credit, of £355 3s 7d, as against £594 15s Sd last year, but we have spent by way of improvements £372 12s Id which, if added to the credit balance, shows tile Society in a wonderful financial position. The profit and loss statement shows a nett gain on the year’s working of £155 8s 9d. The sports meeting shows a credit of £ll7 lGs 3d; interest £l9 2s 7d, which is a new item on this side of the profit and loss statement; and rent £72 Os 4d go to help to swell the revenue of the Society, and with careful watching, we should be able to keep ourselves at about this figure, and at the same time keep all the buildings in good repair. Once again the New Year sports proved a big sue-

cess from the point of view of both competitors and spectators. The entries were better than usual, and the competitors themselves were composed of the most brilliant athletic talent in New Zealand. There was a large al tendance of both days, which shows that the Society has the support of the public of Timaru. The weather was glorious, and the running and cycling tracks were in first class order. The officials, as is usual, discharged their duties in-a highly satisfactory manner, and the events were run at scheduled time in a manner which was commented on favourably by both spectators and competitors. The events were keenly contested, and the number of competitors from other centres indicates that the New Year sports at Timaru are becoming more and more important ns an attraction for summer visitors. The prize list., as now composed, is among the largest offered in New Zealand for competition, and attracts competitors from all over the Dominion. This itself is a large factor in contributing to the success of the sports meeting, and the great popularity with which it is regarded by the sporting public of South Canterbury. The success of the meet-

ing depends wholly on the support received, from the district, aiul once again the directors wish to thank those who made the sports such a success by generously giving thensupport in the matter of donations ) and special prizes. Special prizes I were donated by Messrs P. Campbell, D. Sinclair, D. Donaldson, A. Hay, R. A. Rodgers, AV. H. Hall, W. H. Kinnerney, J. O’Leary, AA r . A. Courjis, S. R. Burns, A r . Panton. A. .1. Munro, A. Mackay,,; Timaru Scottish Society, N. 55. Pipers’ and Dancers’ Assoc. (S.C. Centre). Road Racing, has had a greater number of enthusiasts talcing part in the sport than in previous years, and your directors donated £5 5s to the Timaru-Christ-cliurch road race, and £5 to the Timaru Cycling Club. Both these donations were very much appreciated, and as long as the sport is kept clean there is no reason why it should not prosper. During the year your directors called tenders for the lease of the grounds for football purposes.

Two tenders were received, and that of the South Canterbury Rugby Football Union was accepted for a term of five years. The Cricket Association was also granted a lease of the ' grounds to play cricket, and last summer two matches were played each week. The Society lost by fire the caretaker’s residence. The loss was a serious one, but fortunately, it was well insured. Tenders were called for re-building the house, and that of Messrs Hutton and Dawson was accepted for £4 87 12s 7d, which ! was £S7 12s 7d over and above the ! amount received from the Insurance | Company. For this £S7 12s 7d we | have been able to reinstate a twenty i year old dwelling for a new one, so ; the loss to the Society is not very 1 great. Your directors have effected | some extensive improvements to the i grounds this year. The improvements include concreting the floor of • the refreshment room, directors' 1 room, and the secretary's office. The ceiling of the directors’ room has

also been covered. la addition to these improvements, lavatory accommodation has been increased at the south end of the grandstand, while along the front of the stand a concrete path has been laid down. A water pipe has been laid down the centre of the grounds, which should enable the running track down the centre*to be kept green and in excellent order for the sports meeting. The cycling track has also been topdressed. Nine meetings of the directors were held during the year, and were attended as follows: —Messrs S. It. Hums S, P. Campbell 9, AV. A. Courtis ii, 11. Donaldson (1, C. Hall 8 AV. Hall 9, A. Hay 5, J. Hole AV.' D. Hume S, AV. 10. Kinnerney lb A. .Vlackay 8, It. H. Morgan 4, J. A. Munro 7, A. McCullough 7, P. O’Connor C, J. O’Leary 6, It. A. Rodgers 7, D. Sinclair 7, A. Wilson .7, \V. Young 0. The retiring directors are Messrs S. It. Rums, P. Campbell, R. Donaldson, C. Hall, AV. H. Hall, A. Hay, A. .Alacltay, P. O’Connor, It. A. Rodgers, and A. AVilson.