MUSICAL SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16159, 13 March 1918, Page 9

MUSICAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MlifiTIXG. There was a yood attendance at the jmnual meeting 'ol : the Christchurch Musical Society, which was held last night, and over which Mr J, A. Flesher presided. The annual report stated that three ordinary concerts, and one special benefit concert, were held. The performances had been quite up to the usual standard, and reflected credit on those who took part, and especially on tho painstaking efforts, of tho conductor, Dr. Bradshaw. The report rooordod the thanks of the Society to tho soloists — Mesdaraes Gower Burns, E. \V. Fidgoo a, and V. Livingstone, Misses Audibert, Nottingham, and Vincent, Messrs C. E. Clarkson, H. Gill, and A. Button —to Miss Maclcodsmith, honorary accompanist, and to the Christchuich Symphony Orchestra Special reference was made to tho services rendered in connexion with the benefit concert in aid of the Society's funds. The financial position, though greatly improved, ivas still a matter of some concern. The total income last year was £386'13s IM, and the expenditure £331 14s '23. The total liabilities at the end of the year amounted to £1&5 Os Id, 6ince reduced to £139 4s Id. When outstanding subscriptions wcro got in, tlio total liabili- • tics ought not to exceed £110. The comprised 141 subscribers nnd 96 performers. A campaign, had been instituted which it • was hoped would result in bringing the number of-subscribers up to 200. Jf this were accomplished and maintained, the Society ought to be in a position to carry on fie useful work in the interests of ■music. Tho chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, said that in all the cirmmstanqcs members should bo well pleased with tho year's record. From the musical point of view tho -work done had been <juite"iip to tho standard of previous years. Tho fact that tho benefit concert had resulted in £131 18s 3d, showed tliat thev had much cause for •;ratification. For that result, they ha<i to thank their old friend Mrs Wilson, md also the performers. Another such effort this vcar would do much to get the Society" out of debt. Referring to the absence of a suitable hall for concerts, Mr Flesher suggested that the difficulty might bo overcome by tan amalsiyaption of tho various musical societies/ that was, however, a matter for consideration by those managing the societies, s A lady member: Ave can t do anything till we get a/Town Hall ! .. .Mr Flesher remarked that the plans for the new building on, the Canterbury Hall site nrovided. for a ball t-o accommodate 1600 peoplf. He urged that the Society should not live entirely to itself, bat should devote some of its energies to patriotic work; or even to providing concerts for tho patients at tlie hospital. Referring to tho financial position he. remarked on the improvement, though comparatively slight, as indicative of tho Socicty. ultimately emerging satisfactorily from its difficulties. After a brief discussion, in the course of which MisS Shirtcliffe stated tka£, as the result of tho membership campaign, 'the Society started the year with close upon 200 members, the report and bal-ance-Bheet were adopted. < Officers were elected as follows : — President, Sir John Dcnniston; vicepresidents, Bishop Julius, Messrs W. Keeoe, W. Izard, W. Devenish Meares, L; Bonnington, A. Kaye. Ballantyne, H. Holland, and Mrs W. "Wilson; bon. treasurer, Mr W. J. Jenkin; librarian, the secretary assisted by Mr "W. L.s^uchanan; committeo (representing the chorus). Misses Whitelaw and Shirtcliffe, ' "Slid Messrs W. L. Buchanan, A. "W. Roberts, and G. Kudd; (representing tho subscribers), .Mesdames Gower Burns, and W. Wil- ; son, and Messrs A Kave, L. Bonnington. and H. Blakeley; auditor, Mr W. ' H. Obeesman. A vote of condolence with the widow of the late Edward Rose, and of appreciation of Mr Rose's work for tho Society, was passed, members standing. Votes of thanks were accorded the retiring president, and the retiring officers and members of committee.