Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 20, June 1976
WAIHI PRESIDENT'S REPORT - MAY 1976
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is again my pleasure to present the President's Report to the Society for this year 1975/76.
I'm sure you'll agree this year has been busy and successful.
The 19th Journal was published and the 20th prepared.
We have conducted two field trips, one to Whangamata and to Cambridge.
The usual monthly Meetings keep drawing a steady following and the speakers are keeping up their usual high standard.
Assistance, where possible, in the preparation of Mr. McAra's book, shows good progress indeed. In this manner we have collected a large number of photographs, and information. At last this book will be put together and readily available. Mr. McAra spends hours and much effort on our behalf. We have also initiated the Waihi Miners Reunion for Labour Weekend this year; response has been marvelous. So far 150 Miners have replied. Here again, photos and material were received in greater quantity than before.
The Old Folks Day drew the same large numbers - as usual enjoyed by everyone.
The Ladies work very hard for this function which is most appreciated.
Proprietor of Golden Cross Hotel provided a lock up notice board, where our posters and photos are displayed at great interest to viewers.
The amount of material now coming forward is most gratifying. We are indebted to those people who have saved and cared for it over the years - they must be finding it better to give to the Society for safe keeping, than be lost.
Our relationship with other Organisations is most cordial and it is most satisfying to be President of a Society that is held in such high regard, of course, this is not possible without the support of the Committee and here I wish to express my sincere gratitude to you all for making this job such a pleasure.
Running costs continue to rise sharply, but it appears there will be no need to raise fees, as our financial position is quite sound. Membership is holding and with the reunion coming, may rise as our work becomes better known.
I previously intimated that I would retire as President this year but with the amount of unfinished work we have going for us I hesitate to drop it into someone else's lap and so if there is no other nomination I should be honoured to continue for another year.
Thankyou again for your support. M A. ROYCROFT: PRESIDENT
PAEROA REPORT - 1975/76
Membership: 295 plus 4 Life Members and 6 Exchanges of Journal.
Annual Subscriptions: $2-00 and Family $3-00 are now due.
Activities:
May: Talk - Mr. H. Wilson. Six generations of the Wilson Family.
June: Weekend at Whakatane, also Talk with slides on "A History of Korea" by Mr. & Mrs. B. Townshend.
July: Mrs. Spinks discussion and display of antiques.
August: Mr. & Mrs. A. Reid - Tour of England and Denmark.
September: Talk by Miss E. Mann on "Early Waitekauri".
October: Talk by Mr. M. Roycroft on Museums - Norfolk Island (dead) and "Old Sydney Town" - living.
November: A social evening in Honour of Mrs. N.S. CLIMIE on her retirement as Editress of the Journal.
December and January - Summer vacation.
February: Field Day in Kauaeranga Valley, Thames.
March: Extract from Diary and slides on Norfolk Is. by Mr. F. Thorp.
Field Day in Morrinsville.
April: Annual Mg. 26/4/76
A.F. THORP: PRESIDENT
T.C. BUCHANAN: HON. SECRETARY
REPORT: WAIHI ARTS CENTRE AND MUSEUM ASSOCIATION
During the year 1975 we had a total of 7,168 visitors and 1976 started off well with 2,174 people attending in January.
The glass model was restored just in time for the opening of the Summer Exhibition. This was a big undertaking and our thanks go to Deborah Bange for doing a magnificent job. The Council is working steadily on improving the Museum, all the photographs have been sorted and a good part of them have been mounted. The model of the mineshaft only needs a few finishing touches and looks quite realistic. We thank Lorna Dixon, Rosemary Morgan and Bill Roberts for all their time and effort. Rosemary Morgan also mounted a map of Waikino with complimenting photographs. These show the Victoria Battery as it used to be.
A successful luncheon was held at the beginning of December to open the Summer Exhibition. Many a visitor remarked on the quality of the pottery and the high standard of the paintings.
A photographic exhibition by Peter Maughan was mounted in February followed by a display of illuminated addresses and photographs of former Waihi Councils and Federal Bands.
MAY a travelling exhibition by the Auckland Institute& Museum, entitled: "Regional Variations in Maori Carving".
MARY D. SMEATON: HON. SECRETARY