TEMUKA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18412, 2 November 1929, Page 2

TEMUKA.

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. The annual meeting of the Temuka Caledonian Society was held last night. Present—Messrs A. Bain (president), T. Hancox, W. Seeler, W. Shand, J. Heni*y, Geo. Ward, D. O’Connor, W. J. Moore, H. Dunne, W. McCallum, W. F. Evans, T. E. Shiels, Geo. Higinbottom, H. H. Hutchison, A. Russell, W. D. McCallum, and J. M. King. Condolence. The president referred to the death of Mrs Moore and Mr A. D. Moore, mother and brother of a former president of the Society. He moved that a motion of sympathy be passed to Mr W. J. Moore in his severe loss. The motion was carried.

The annual report stated that the annual sports gathering on Boxing Day proved highly entertaining, both from a spectator’s and a competitor’s point of view. Unfortunately, the gathering was marred somewhat by inclement weather in the early part of the day, thus reducing the gate receipts. The special train from Timaru was not so well patronised as in former years. In the cycling events two New Zealand championships were competed for. The wood chopping events drew large entries, and proved very entertaining. In addition to visitors from kindred societies, Viscount and Lady Hampden were present. The dance in the evening was very successful. A road race was held early in December, and drew a large number of entries. During the year, a social evening was held, to which all members were invited. There was only a fair attendance, but a most enjoyable time was spent. I< with deepest regret that the directors record the death of the patron, Mr George Thomson, one of the oldest members, who always took a very active part in the work of the Society. The new flags ordered to replace those destroyed by fire, had been received. There had been a loss on the year’s operations. Had the weather been fine on the day of the sports gathering, no doubt extra takings would have covered this loss. The directors thanked all donors of special prizes, and all those who had assisted in the work during the year. The president moved, and Mr Higinbottom seconded, the adoption of the report and balance sheet.

Mr W. F. Evans said that the position was not so bad as it looked on the balance sheet. During the past year £24 had been expended on new flags, and that the biggest part of the £3l deficit. In view of all the circumstances he thought they could congratulate themselves on their position. It seemed that the time had arrived when the Boxing Day programme had to be made more attractive. This was a matter that the incoming committee would have to seriously consider, and if that problem was solved, they could look forward to much better times.

Mr Shiels urged that greater celerity be used in paying accounts in connection with the sports. It was not fair to keep business people waiting for months for their money, and he thought that the secretary should receive his salary more promptly. The motion was carried. The following new members were elected: Messrs E. Sherbourne, B. Blackmore, W. Searle, R. C. Noonan, S. Cooper, J. Stickings, W. S. Harbrow, E. Parker, J. Gaffney, H. M. Coutts, W. Spillane, W. Hulston, B. Smith, J. Andrews, K. Blyth, W. H. Staniland, G. Phillips, S. Green, Roger McNab and C. Davidson.

In connection with the list of new members, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr J. Henry, who had procured practically all the new names to the list.

In vacating the chair, the president said that the past year was one of the most pleasant he had experienced, and a great deal of that was due to the splendid support he had received from directors and members generally.

The following officials were elected: Patron, Mr W. McCallum; president, Mr Jesse Preddy; vice-presidents, Mr George Ward (senr.), Mr W. F. Evans (junr.); treasurer, Mr Geo. Hancox; auditor, Mr F. A. Joynt; directors, Messrs L. J. Graht, J. C. Bisdee, G. H. Paterson, A. Bain, Geo. Higinbottom, H. H. Hutchison, S. Goddard, T. Hancox, W. D. McCallum, J. Henry, W. J. Moore, H. Dunne, T. E. Shiels, W. J. Seeler, W. Shand, D. O’Connor, A. Russell; M.C., Mr "ty. Seeler; delegates to Domain Board, Messrs W. F. Evans and Geo. Hancox; delegates to Athletic Union, Messrs A. Bain and J. Henry.

It was agreed that the amount of prize money for the Boxing Day sports be £l5O.

The president, secretary and Messrs Shiels, Evans, Henry, McCallum and Bain were appointed to draw up a provisional programme. It was agreed to apply to the Railway Department to run the usual special train on Boxing Day. On the suggestion of Mr Higinbottom, it was decided that widows of life members have all the privileges of the Society. Mr Henry inquired if application had been made for any championship events.

The secretary said that the directors had applied for the half and 11 mile cycling championships, and for piping and dancing events. Mr W. D. McCallum urged that amateur events be included on the programme. Amateurism was increasing greatly, and he thought that they should be encouraged. He moved that an 880 yards and a one mile event be included in the provisional programme. Several other members spoke in support, and the motion was carried unanimously. Mr Evans said that the past president had carried out his duties with credit to himself and the Society. He moved that a hearty vote of thanks be passed to Mr Bain.—Carried by acclamation. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the secretary, the treasurer and the Press. Speaking regarding the secretarial work, Mr Bain said that Mr Taylor was the right man in the right place. The usual social hour brought the annual meeting to a close.