ROTARY CLUB

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19835, 26 June 1934, Page 14

ROTARY CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING A SUCCESSFUL YEAR REVIEWED The annual meeting of the Timaru Rotary Club was held yesterday, Rotarian B. E. H. Tripp presiding over a large attendance. Annual Report. The annual report stated that sixteen new members had been elected during the year. These new members had proved a decided acquisition to the Club, and it was the sincere hope of the directors that Rotary’s mission would be furthered by them in the future. Membership was 43 as compared with 37 at the end of last year and 33 at the end of the previous year. It was a matter for congratulation that during the difficult times passed through, the membership had steadily increased. Rotarian C. Howard Tripp is on leave in Great Britain. Attendance was a very important rule in Rotary. The average for the year had been 68.20 per cent, as compared with 75.9 per cent last year. The directors were greatly indebted to Keith Brown and W. S. Young and their Programme Committee for a most interesting series of lectures arranged for each meeting. One ladies' night was held and w r as a great success. With the completion of the year, the directors felt that a definite advance had been made in fellowship. During the year the Club had not been idle and a number of important activities had been handled. Requests for assistance from worthy organisations would indicate that the Club had established itself as a solid and useful body, and with the help of members, much good work had been accomplished. In August Vice-President Frank Washbourn and the secretary attended the District Assembly in Wellington and obtained much useful information with respect to the conduct of Club affairs. With other executives, the delegates had an opportunity of discussing many matters which concerned the Club life, and were particularly impressed by the earnestness of so many prominent business and professional men in the discussion of Rotary ideals. The annual district conference was held this year at New Plymouth and Past-President W. D. Campbell and the secretary represented the Club. The Club extended an invitation to hold the next Conference at Timaru. There were no other invitations and the matter would be confirmed at the District Assembly in Wellington next August. The expenditure in the General Fund was in excess of income to the extent of £ls/2/4 and the year closed with an accumulated fund of £42/6/7. The Sunshine Fund account receipts totalled £27/2/8. The fund at the commencement of the year showed a balance of £lB/2/9. The expenditure during the year was £3l/2/10, leaving a balance of £l4/2/7. The Club’s very best thanks were due to the Press, whose members had attended the meetings and had so well reported the addresses. “In reviewing the year we see much to give cause for pleasure and congratulations,” continued the report. “The Club has successfully passed through another year of the world depression, with a greater membership than ever before, and a substantial increase on the previous years, but what is very much more important than numbers is the spirit of fellowship and keenness about the Club work. Further, we know that the Club has definitely placed itself in the community and that it is unquestionably rendering useful service. There appears to be a more hopeful outlook in world conditions, and there is a definite work for Rotary in assisting to break down the nationalist barriers which are so impeding the return of international prosperity.” On the motion of Rotarians Tripp and F. I. Washbourn, the report and balance sheet were adopted. Election of Officers. The following officers were declared elected: President, Rotarian F. I. Washbourn; vice-president, Rotarian W. S. Young; immediate past president, Rotarian B. E. H. Tripp; directors, Rotarians A. E. Horwell, F. Lewis, E. R. Fuller, F. M. Ward; treasurer, Rotarian W. I. Tait; secretary, Rotarian G. D. Virtue. Before retiring from the office of president, Rotarian Tripp thanked all who had assisted him, making special reference to the help given him by Rotarians W. D. Campbell and Washbourn. The programme committee had arranged some fine addresses and credit was due to it for having managed to obtain speakers for every weekly meeting. “The more you see of Rotary the more you can’t help feeling that Rotary is going to take its place in the world and play an increasing part in the solution of international problems,” said Rotarian Tripp. He concluded by welcoming the new president, Rotarian Washbourn, and vice-president, Rotarian W. S. Young. Rotarian Washbourn expressed appreciation of the president’s work during the year. On the motion of Rotarian W. Thomas, the retiring officers were accorded a vote of thanks for their services during the year.