ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2700, 21 February 1916, Page 2

ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY.

6 ANNUAL REPORT. ' In presenting the eleventh annual report of the Royal Wellington Choral Society (to he submitted for adoption at the annual meeting on February 29), the committee, through its chairman (Mr. R. T. Caldow) sajs: —"Owing to tlio great European crisis, this period has been one of great uncertainty, calling for very closo attention to tho society's affairs and economy in management, and wo shall feel that under'the circumstances the results achieved have been most satisfactory. Each of our performances was a financial success. During the year new members ivere admitted numbering 49 ladies and 29 gentlemen, but as against this we suffered heavily in the male sections by the loss of no fewer than 41 members having joined tlie colours. , "We take pride'in placing on record the fact that so many of our members are at present bearing arms for tho defence of their country, our honours board at present showing no less than <12 names, of whom, unfortunately, one (Mr. A. T. Perry) lost his life. We sincerely, trust that .the time will, be short before a successful issue -will bo brought about, and that these members will soon be back in our midst.

"The committee desires to tender tho society's special thanks to Mr. 11. Moschini, who took over the conductorship during the illnoss of Mr. Blby, with very satisfactory results; also to Mr. C. Russell,- who acted as lion, accompanist over the sanio period. Our thanks are also due to the members of the orchestra, the Bristol Piano Co.. for the uso of the booking office, and to all other friends who have assisted the society during the year."

A glance at. the balance-sheet shows that tho actual cash balance to credit as the result of the : society's operations was £4 ss. lOcl., but this does not represent tho net gain made by the society, whose excess of assets oror liabilities has been increased to £300 lis. 7d. (after allowing fully for depreciation), a fact which shows the real gain to bo about £70. The receipts show; cash from active members, £78 55.; from honorary members, £267 Is.from"Cava)loria" concert, £57 155.; from "Elijah," £62 7k. 6(1.; from "The Mc-ssiah," £83 13s. Adding those figures together gives the .slim of £549 Is. 6d., which, divided by the number of concerts given, shows receipts to the extent of £iB3 for each concert. Tho fact that such an amount just about puy.s gives an idea of tlic big money it requires to finance a Choral Society. On the expenditure side tho largest amount is £193 175., pr£l ( () soloists; £55 ss. to Mr. H. Bloy; £41 13s. 4d. to Mr. Bernard Page; and £26 7s. Bd. to Jlr. Maughan liarnett (for conducting one concert). The sum of £79 Is. was paid to members of the orchestra, the practice hall cost £47 7„, (id., and printing and stationery £<it 7s. 6d.; and the use of the Town Hull organ £52 las. 2d. The society's chief M,(.ot i« its library of mubic, iet doii-n as worth £275 Bs.