Caledonian Society.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5296, 28 April 1885, Page 3

Caledonian Society.

At the Commercial Hotel, last night, the , Canterbury Caledonian Society held their third annual meeting. There was a very large attendance, and Mr H. A. Watt, the vice-Presidont, occupied the chair. The Chairman, in opening the business, said that all must regret, as the Directors j did, that the bad weather had made the ' annual gathering a failure. The amount lost was a very large one, and made it necessary that they should consider whether or not it was desirable to spend so much ' on the annual gathering. The concert, ' however, had been a great success, and had ' gained the reputation of being one of the i leading entertainments of Canterbury. • Another item he would refer to was the amount of unpaid subscriptions, which had ! rendered it necessary to strike the names , of the defaulters off the roll. }J e thought it would be well that any member proposing a friend should make himself respon- ' sible for the first year's subscription. Reverting to the subject of sports, the Directors thought that if the Society were to make their mark in Canterbury and New Zealand, they must get above ordinary sports and concerts. They must have something nobler and higher, and with a little encouragement it would, the Directors believed, be possible for the Society, with the funds at their disposal, to offer scholarships, which would materially assist the children attending public schools. And here he would thank Professor Brown and Mr Malcolm for the kind assistance they had given the Committee in framing rules in connection with the scholarships. The proposal of the Committee was that two scholarships should be established of the annual value of .£2O, and tenable for two years, under certain restrictions. He now had a painful duty to perform, and that was to announce the resignation of II r Peter Cunningham, their President. (The Chairman here read the President's letter of resignation, thanking the Society for its kindly support and loyalty, and enclosing a cheque for 50 guineas, in fulfilment of his promise. The Chairman was sure that but for Mr Cunningham, the Society would not be in so good a position as it now was. He had endeavoured to persuade Mr Cunningham to withdraw his resignation, but unfortunately had not succeeded. He concluded by moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, which were taken as read. REPORT. The following was the report : — " Your Directors have much pleasure in meeting you again at the close of another financial year, and presenting the third annual balance-sheet. Owing to bad weather our annual gathering last December waa a financial failure, and, as you will see, left us to the debit over .£IOO. The Caledon in v concert was again an undoubted sue-<--*, and is now looked forward to as one oi "-he year's entertainments. Your Dirovl ivs take this opportunity to urge on mentors the necessity of regularly paying tieir annual subscriptions. We have now 240 paying members on the roll, including six life members, and if the subscriptions are punctually paid before the end of May each year, your Directors are confident of making the Canterbury Caledonian Society a power in the Province. The Directors retiring at this meeting are W. Boag, C. C. C. Duncan, G. Mackay, J. M'Beth and S. Robertson, and they offer themselves for re-election." The balance-sheet showed receipts .£71 3 158 and expenditure .£579 18s 4d. The assets were .£240 14s 2d, and the liabilities .£3. Mr Campbell seconded adoption of the report. A number of questions wer ateked as to items in the balance-sheet. Dr Frankish deprecated the manner in which questions were being put, as it was likely to engender a feeling that was not desirable, and was reflecting on the Directors, in whom had been placed the management of the Society. The vote on the adoption of the report should be taken, and then those who wished could move a vote of want of confidence in the Directors. The report and balance-sheet were unanimously adopted. NEW MEMBERS. The following new members were elected : —David Dick, W. E. M'Dougall, Peter Donald, John Keand, J. M'Lean Dunn, It. Wallace, W. Malcolm, Rev J. Elmslie, and D. Cumming. OFFICERS. The following officers were elected : — President, Mr H. A. Wattj vice-Presi-dents, Messrs James Campbell and Struan Robertson ; Directors, Messrs P. Cunningham, W. Boag, R. Struthers, G. M'Kay, and J. M'Beth. Mr Watt thanked the meeting for the compliment paid to him. Mr Alexander M'Kay was elected piper to the Society. Messrs T. B. Craig and A. M'Ki.j were elected Auditors. • THE SCHOLARSHIPS. Mr Wallace moved, and Mr Cnupbell seconded, a hearty vote of thanks to Professor Brown and Mr Malcolm for the assistance afforded by them to the Directors. The vote was carried unanimously. After some discussion as to details tha proposal of the Directors was unanimously agreed to. society's medal. Mr Campbell suggested that some notice should be taken by the Society of the bravery of Mr Buckley in rescuing a younp man from drowning in the Avon. He had j great pleasure in proposing — "That the Society's medal be presented to Mr Buckley." Mr Struan Robertson seconded the ! motion, which was agreed to unanimously. THANKS. On the motion of Dr Frankish, eeconded by Mr Dempster, a vote of thanks was passed to the officers of last year. j Mr Struthers acknowledged the cr.npli- , ment. CALEDONIAN BALL. j The desirability of having an annual 1 ball, under the patronage of the Society, j was discussed, and a resolution — "That . a ball be held," was moved by Mr Praser, j seconded by Mr Fisher, and carried, it being quite understood that the ball must be self-supporting. , The following were elected the Ball Com- 1 mittee, with power to add to their number : Dr Stewart, and Messrs S. Williams, • J. Anderson, jnn., J.Campbell, R. Struthers, G. Bl'Kny, Fisher, Wallace, Robertson, Shanks, Watt, and Fraser. ; CAKTKRBTJEY SCOTTISH VOLUNTEERS. j The claims of the new corps of Canter- I bury Scottish Volunteers were brought ' before the- meeting, and many present signed, as honorary members, the list which was sent round. j A vote of thanks closed the business of the meeting.