CANTERBURY CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5170, 27 November 1884, Page 3

CANTERBURY CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

A general meeting of the Canterbury Caledonian Society was held at the Commercial 'Hotel last evening. About 50 members were present, and the chair was taken by Mr H. A. Watt, one of the vicePresidents, who expressed his pleasure at being again present at a meeting of the Caledonian Society, after Mb lengthened absence. The first business was the election of new members, of whom 20 were added to the roll of the Society, after a ballot, at which Messrs Duncan and Christie acted as scrutineers. Mr Macpherson suggested that a chaplain should be appointed to the Society. The Chairman thought that the suggestion was a very good one. The chaplain should be an honorary member of the Society. Mr W. J. Fergusson proposed the Rev James Hill as honorary chaplain. Mr Lowe proposed — " That a Committee, consisting of Messrs Macpherson, J. Campbell, and H. A. Watt, be appointed to confer with some Scotch minister, in order to ascertain if he will accept the office of honorary chaplain to the Society." Mr Stiuan Eobertson seconded the motion. The Chairman supported the proposition. He did not consider that it would, be advisable to appoint any % gentleman to the office without his consent being first obtained. The motion was then carried unanimously. The Chairman said that St Andrew's Day this year fell on a Sunday, and therefore it was not possible to have the Society's annual supper on St Andrew's Night. It had been proposed to hold it on the following Monday, Dec. 1, but as Mr P. Cunningham, President of the Society, who was returning from England in the Coptic, would hardly be able to be present on that occasion, it had been proposed to defer it to the next Thursday, in order that it might be held as a welcome to that gentleman, and that he might be sure to be present. (Hear, hear.) Mr Lowe proposed, and Mr H. A. C. Fergusson seconded — " That the supper be held on Thursday, Dec. 4." Mr Buchanan proposed, and Mr Reid seconded, as an amendment — "That the supper be held on Friday, Dec. 5." The amendment was negatived, and the motion agreed to. The meeting then proceeded to consider the question of the annual sports to be held on Dee. 16. The Chairman requested all members to lend a hand to make the gathering a success, and to make the day one of the great days of Canterbury. The Society were greatly indebted to Messrs Hillcoats and Sons for the handsome trophy presented by them. Unfortunately, the Popular Sports would be held on the same day, but so good a programme had been prepared for the Caledonian Gathering that he thought that, given a fine day, it would be a thorough success, especially if the members did all in their power to help. He would inform them that tea and light refreshments would be provided in the grand stands for the wives and children of members. He would be glad to hear any suggestions from members to enhance the success of the meeting. Mr Norman suggested that tickets of admission to the ground should be prepared and sold beforehand. The Chairman thought the suggestion a very good one. The Directors would see that tickets were obtainable at Mr Black's office* before the gathering. This was all the business, and the meeting adjourned.