SCOTTISH SOCIETY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20132, 12 June 1935, Page 6

SCOTTISH SOCIETY

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS’ EXISTENCE

SURVEY OF WORK The Timaru Scottish Society has been in existence for a quarter of a century, and this week Jubilee celebrations are being held. At last night’s jubilee dinner exChief W. S. Young, gave an interesting review of the activities of the Society since its inception. - It was on Saturday, August 13, 1910, that a meeting was called by Mr Archibald Kennedy and Mr John Mac Lean for the purpose of forming a Scottish Gaelic Society for South Canterbury. It was attended by 15 enthusiastic Scots, and Mr Malcolm MacLeod presided. After deciding to form a “Scot-tish-Gaellc Society,” the meeting was adjourned till August 27, for the purpose of electing officers, when the following were elected:—Chief, Mr Duncan MacFarlane; Chieftains, Messrs. Malcolm MacLeod, Alex Gray; secretary, Mr Victor Panton; treasurer, Mr Archibald Kennedy; committee, Messrs John Maclean, Donald McKay, Donald Ross (Washdyke), Jas. Stewart (Pleasant Point), Finlay MacKenzie, Donald MacArthur, and Alex. Sutherland (Sutherlands).

The Chief elected at this meeting did not accept office, and at a later meeting Mr John Fraser (Waitohi) was appointed Chief, but owing to bad health he did not preside at many meetings. The name of the Society: “An Comunn Gaidhealach,” did not appeal to all members, and during the year an attempt was made to alter the name to “The Scottish Society,” but this alteration did not take place until 1913. The first year's membership was 116, and at the end of the year there was a credit balance of £l6/4/0. The membership in 1911-12 increased to 140. A Junior Gaelic Choir was formed under the leadership of Mr Malcolm MacLeod, but it only lasted a year or two. After two years as a Gaelic Society the membership was thrown open to all Scots, and the name was altered to the Timaru Scottish Society. A library of Gaelic and Scottish books was commenced this year, with a bequest from the late Mr Win. Fraser.

The year 1913—1914 marked a large increase in membership, the total of 426 being reached. The late Mr J. H. Scott was largely responsible for this increase, he having obtained 151 new members. The Show Night concert appeared as being held this year, and had been held continuously ever since, as well as the New Year Night concert. 1914-15 was the momentous year in whlclT the Great War started, and carried on for four strenuous years. The Society took its part along with other bodies in raising money for various War Relief Societies. It was In 1915-1916 that Mr Cochrane wore the Scottish garb, the kilt, at the meetings of the Society. The late Mr A. M. Copland presented a Scottish flag and this flag has been used at the meetings ever since. A bazaar was held in conjunction -with the 2nd S.C. Regimental Band, and the Society’s share was £44/6/2. The amount of £47/14/- was raised for War Relief Funds, and the credit balance was £53/10/6. This year may be said to be the date when a fund was started as a nucleus of a Hall Fund. Membership Increases The membership in 1916-17 was 344, the roll having been thoroughly purged. Twenty-five members were stated to be on active service. The year 1917-1913 proved one of the most successful of the Society's existence. Mr Scott was an energetic worker, and was very keen that the Hall Fund should be greatly Increased and an endeavour made to procure a home for the members. The roll number was 441. Gold medals were presented to seven juvenile dancers this year, some of whom had been performing ever since the Society started. The only one of these dancers who at present was a member was Miss M. Davidson. The membership In 1818-19 was 454, and a number of successful concerts were held during the year, mostly in aid of War Relief objects. The amount of £lO7/19 3 was handed over to the South Canterbury Returned Soldiers’ Association, the Salvation Army, and the Presbyterian Children’s Home. The Hall Fund was increased to £194/0/11, and the general fund had a credit of £34/0/11. The membership did not increase in 1919-20, but it was a very successful year with a good deal of hard work being done in organising concerts. A good increase in membership took place in 1920-21, 591 being on the roll. A spectacular performance called the “Wishing Well” was produced under the guidance of Mesdames Bums and Cooper. It proved a great success and £195/5/0 was added to the Hall Fund, which now amounted to £459/4/5. Epidemic Prevalent Owing to the infantile paralysis epidemic, the usual monthly concerts had to be discontinued during part of 192425 year. This was the first occasion on which the members did not meet monthly since the Society came into existence. The membership again showed a decrease there being 280 members. The Hall Fund was increased by £125/17/2, this being made possible from rents from buildings on section and also from interest on money on deposit. Mr Hugh Stewart, an old member of the Society, presented a Chief’s chair in 1925-26, a very fine piece of carved work with Scotch thistle predominant. Weekly dances were again commenced in the Bay Hall, in 1926-27, but did not prove a success. Special thanks were accorded the Pipe Band for their services during the year. Mr Alxe Newton, who had acted as aceompaniest ►for some years, resigned on account of his removal to Dunedin, and Mr Lance Craig was appointed in his stead. The membership remained steady this year. The general account had a credit balance of £lB6/6/2, while the Hall account had assets valued at £3838/6/10. This included £2500 in debentures with the Borough Council. Important Year The year 1927-28 might be deemed the most important which the Society had experienced, as plans were prepared by Messrs Panton and Son, and the contract was let to Mr A. Kennedy for the very fine Hall in which the Society was now housed. The Hall was completed next year, and had a very successful opening, which was performed by the Hon. James Craigie on April 1. This was followed by a bazaar under the leadership of Mr W. Panton and Miss I. Groves, as secretary. The net result of this bazaar was £335. The total cost of the Hall was £3579/6/9 and furnishings and fittings totalled £377/Wyil. Weekly dances were commenced in the new Hall and with some short interruptions had been continued ever since. The total assets of the Society this year were £4233/14/9. The general account still continued to decrease during the year by £35/1/11. The report of 1931-32 calied attention to the drop in the membership, and urged members to make every endeavour to secure more members. Donations amounting to £23/16/3 were made to local appeals. The general account showed a loss of £B/19/3, and this loss had occurred every year since, more or less, showing that the members’ subscriptions and door takings at concerts

were not sufficient to keep the Society in a good financial state. It had been impossible to record the valuable services rendered by the ladies, as without their aid the Society would not be in the position it was to-day. Their help was invaluable during the various bazaars that had been held, while the work that had been done in the sup-per-room at the numerous dances, and also at the monthly concerts, could not be too highly praised. While probably some ladies had been more prominent in the good work it would be invidious to mention any particular persons, as they had all done their part well and | for the good of the Society. Justified Existence The Society had fully justified its existence, not only in providing a monthly concert at which “Brither Scots” might meet, but also as a means of providing financial aid to deserving causes. During the period of its life it had been the means of raising for relief, during the war period, and after, no less a sum than £827. It had also provided cups for both the Caledonian Society and the Pipers’ and Dancers’ Association. The Hall had proved of much use to the public of Timaru, and at the end of the present year it was almost certain to be fully paid off. The history of the Society was sufficient to show that it had accomplished much, and with the widened assistance from brither Scots, it was prepared to extend the ramifications in other directions.