ROTARY DINNER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20182, 26 June 1928, Page 11

ROTARY DINNER

AN ENJOYABLE FUNCTION VISITORS FROM OTHER CLUBS The dining room of Foster’s Hotel presented a very animated appearance last evening on the occasion of the annual dinner and meeting of the Wanganui Rotary Club. The wives of members were present, there being also visitors from other centres. The principal guest of the evening was Sir Alexander Roberts, District Gov-ernor-Elect, while also present wis Rotarian D. A. Ewen, of Wellington. Visitors from Palmerston North woie Rotarians N. H. Mackie (president), R. T. Jaggard (vice-president), C. T. Salmon (secretary), J .A. Grant, A. J. Phillips, and their wives, A. H. M. Wright, W. Day and Mrs Day and Miss Johnstone. The Dannevirke visitors were Rotarians A. J. C. Runciman and Mrs Runciman, R. B. Grant and Mr.-, Grant, C. Hansard and Mrs Hansard, J. S. Williams and Mrs il. S. M. Quigley, F. Craven, H. M. Rossiter and V. E. Sanders.

The retiring president, Rotarian John Coull, in handing over the badge of office to the newly-elected president, Rotarian Olaf Holst, said that a year ago when he was elected to the post of president he had especially asked Rotarians for their help, and now the year had run its course he had t<> thank them for keeping their promise. From the point of view of goodfellowshinp he felt that it had been the most valuable post he had ever held It was with some reg.et that he now handed over the badge of office to another, and he would always look back on his association with Wanganui Rotary as president with infinite pleasure. Rotary had entered its fourth year in Wanganui, and members were now beginning to realise what Rotary meant. Sir Alexander Roberts referred to the quality of the club’s singing, stating that it was one of tho finest things in the world to develop singing in Rotary clubs, as it was a wonderful thing to help the work of the club. Singing took one out of one’s self, and made one forget one’s worries. Sir Alexander stated that he would like to see clubs build up their membership. “You should,” he said, “have representatives of every trade and profession, but you don’t want to fill your clubs with men who have not the lino spirit of Rotary. Always keep that iri view, and never make the classification fit the man 1 it niako the man fit the classification.” Tho speaker also referred to the neccssi ty for clubs visiting each other. This was most encouraging to neighbouring clubs.

The president-elect, Rotarian Olaf Holst, said he appreciated the fact that the governor-elect had attended the function and he was sure Rotarians would take to heart the good advice they had been offered. He paid a fitting tribute to the past president, referring to the whole-hearted manner in which he had given himself up to the work of the club. To Rotarian Louis Cohen fell the task of presenting to Rotarian John Coull a token of the esteem in which members held him, saying that the latter had justified the high hopes that members had placed in him when he took office as president, and that indeed he had shown the true spirit of Rotary. The token was a crystal jug and goblets. “If you will fill this,” concluded Rotarian Cohen, “and keep it filled with. the good humour that you have always shown to us, you are sure to cheer someone on their way.” Rotarian Coull suitably replied

Rotarians N. H. Mackie and A. J. C. Runciman also spoke. An excellent musical programme greatly added to the enjoyment of the evening, the entertainers being Mesdames Wills, Tarrant and Trevor Thomas, Misses Edna .Greenwood and Johnstone (Palmerston North) and Mr Trevor Thomas. Rotarian H. J. Grieve 1 made a capable song leader. After the dinner those present were entertained at an enjoyable dance given by Rotarian Jack Foster. Tho officers elected for the ensuing year arc: President, Mr Olaf Hols;; vice-president, Mr Frank Trcloar; treasurer, Mr T. Ballingall; hon. secretary, Mr A. R. Donaldson; directors, Dr. H. D. Robertson, Messrs H. H. Erderby, H. J. Grieve, and J. Hodson; sergeant-at-arms, Mr J. R. Foster; song leader, Mr H. J. Grieve.