A RIFT IN THE LUTE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2396, 27 February 1915, Page 9

A RIFT IN THE LUTE

DISCORD IN THE ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY, . In apologising for his absence from the annual meeting of the Wellington Royal Choral Society, Mr. Walter Bethuna (vice-president) wrote as follows "I especially regret not . being able to attend, as I had hoped to say a few words with regard to the future, and the welfare of the society. I shall be glad therefore if you will kindly have this letter of mine' read to the meeting. I write with sincere feeling for I have now been connected with tho society for niany years, and have always tried to do what I could to advance its interests. I reoognised to the full the splendid work put in by my friend Mr. .Maughan Barnett, and was proud to be associated : with a society "which did really splendid work under his direction. To me it has been pathetic to see since Mr. Barnett removed to Auckland the high standard of the society has not been' maintained, and the benefit of Mr. Bamett's good work being gradually lost. It lis, I say, pathetic, for I maintain that such a, state of things should never have arisen. We, have in our midst, as successor to Mr. Barnett, our present City Organist, a man of the very highest qualifications as a perusal of the testimonials aocom- : panyrng his application for the post of City Organist will show. lam sure that with these_high qualifications, ana with his wide London musical experience, which is of the latest, the society under his direction would maintain' and go on maintaining a very high standard of efficiency. As City Organist, too, I consider that just as Mr. Maughan Barnett was, be, should be the leader of musio in Wellington, and so be conductor of our Royal* Choral Society. In the interests of the society I do appeal to the meeting to. give this letter of mine fair inid careful consideration, and trtist that, the meeting will at least see its way to make my suggestion a, strong recommendation to the incoming committee. I cannot but feel now that such'a policywould be for tho lasting welfare of the society."

When the annual report came up for adoption Mr. F. Pope, a member of the committee, moved a dissenting amendment. In doing so, be said,, his action would be no surprise to bis colleagues on the committee, and the minutes of the committee, would show that he had not agreed with the greater Mmber of the committee on the matter til a PP o i n tment of the conductor. After, eulogising the work of Mr. Barliett, he said that it was their duty to secure the services of a gentleman as . him in personality and | ability. His view was not accepted, and again when the.gentleman appointed resigned there was only one gentleman in Wellington who was likely to give satisfaction,_ and that was Mr. Page, the City Organist. Why he .was not appointed perhaps all the members did not know. It was because some members ot the committee had fallen foul of Mr. Page, and had not come out. of it any too well. It was only this personal feeiing on the part of some members of the that had stood in tlie way of Mr Page being asked to take the conduotorship. The fact that' he was not b oasked caused a good deal of surprise and comment in the city. mm. op 6 's am endment read That this general meeting having read the annual rejjort submitted by the committee records its regret that as regards the manner in which the several performances were given, the 'year's work was not up to the standard of previous seasons, and that the meeting recognises that it is necessary to select as conductor a musician of outstanding ability and personality in order to facilitate a return to the society's former level of musical attainment.'"' Miss Larchin seconded the amendment. •'

On being put, the amendment was defeated, and the motion.(to adopt the reP°Tj;) Was carried by a large majority. . Mr. Pope then asked permission to retire from the meeting, and on this bems; granted did so. When the matter of electing a- conductor was taken, Mr. J. B. Mao.farlane proposed Mr. Herbert Blov, and in doing so complimented that gentleman on the W n i one y esr > ho really had not bad a fair chance. Mr. Bloy was elected conductor without opposition, the appointment being received with acclamation.