Orphans' Future

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 104, 19 May 1937, Page 9

Orphans' Future

NEED FOR INTEREST Proposal to Go Into Recess Not Agreed To UTHE AIR CLEARED" Some "straight talking" was indulgcd in "by several menibers at ihe annual meeting of the Hastings Grplians' CIuTj last evening, vrhen Ivlr P. J. Priest paresided over an attendance of neariy 30 snenibers. A suggestion that the cluh should go into recess was overwhelimingly defeated, hut many of those who voted against such a drastic step expressed the opinion that there was urgent need for greater interest, support and enthusiasm if the t duc were to enjoy a successful season. The meeting was an unusually lt xig one, there heing a full and frea discussion and as was afterwards remarked "the air was cleared a lot," the indications pointing to every prospect of the cluh experiencing a vrave of enthusiasm. Mr E. E. RiveM, after reviewing the balance sheet, said that he thought the c-lub really had very little to congratuJ late itself upon. s He pointed out that compc^titions were respionsible for a revenue of over £20, and but for this euxn, the loss would have beeu considerably more than the £3 Bhown. He felt that uuless there was an increased meinbership it would be almost hopeless to carry on, and he pointed out that the club's- orchestra had been (stinted as rtgards obtaining nausie, and also that the naembers of the orchestra were being asked to do too muchi "Is it v/ortli while carrying on under the present conditions?" he asked. Mr H. W. d Baird said he most certainly did not wish to see the club go into recess. He felt sure that if the executive were reorganised and enthu•siasm displayed by the members, that the club would come out successfully. He urged that new blood be introduced, and he felt that there was plently of talent available, only it required a little encouragement. : "Why talk of going into recess?" asked Mr N. Boach, "What is wanted is for all of us to put our shoulderfc to the wheel." ^ "This question of going Into recess is really an old chestnut," said ; Mr Rivers. "The only rea'son I mention it is because we have reaehed the stage when interest has abated, our membership has decreased to only a small percentage of what it was, and there appears to be a spirit of boredom and lack 'of interest in the koreros. "I'm as keen as any member and > liave been a strong supporter and an officer for many years, and I would be very sorry to see the club gO into recess now," he said. "But I say that the club cannot carry on unless there is more interest. " Work of Orchestra Eeferring to the orchestra, ' Mr Rivers pointed out that some of the musie wa/3 15 years old, and many of the pieces were lost and eould not be replaced. The members of the orchestra were volunteers, and it meant having to attend a praetiee a week before each korero. What was worthy of note was that the orchestra had- not only to •be in attendance in full force for the practice, ,but also for the korero. It was 25 strong, yet on occasions it played to only 15 members of the club. Such a position happened on what was an orchestra night, the one night when the club should have been in full attendance to show its appreciation of thn nrp.Tifist.ra.

Mr Rivers also mentioned the great need for punctuality as regards both starting and finishing koreros. In view of the financial position of the club, he also considered that there was no real necessity for expense incurred in providing cordials. "There has been talk of reorganising and putting the skoulder to the wheel," he said. "Well, let there be some of it then, but for goodness sake see that ^ *s done and not merely talked about." Mr H. J. Grieve supported Mr Rivefs and said that as chairman of the programme committee last season he found it a most difficult task, and he was satisfied that there was a need for greater ifaterest by the members. "The executive jvorked wonders, but there was a lack of interest and support from the full membership of the elub," he said. "We should endeavour to make the koreros sharp and snappy, and it might be advisable to try out the idea of holding them only once a month instead of fortnightly." Mr A. Giorgi pointed out that more than half the 30 members present at the meeting were members of the orchestra. "I feel that we might do well to diseuss the matter now and adjourn the meeting for a week or two and see if we cannot gef the members together and see what can be done to increase the membership," he said. The chairman, Mr P. J. Priest, said "thtat Mr Rivers had raised several important matters, with some of which most members were in agreement, but there were many aspects that had to be considered, such as the type of progranime, the night of the korero, the need for koreros. One of the main objectives of the club," be pointed out, was to bring out tftlent. It was not reasonable to expect first-class stage programmes of entertainment, but every member should be encouraged to perform in some manner or other and liis efforb should be appreciated in the right spirit. "If we give prominence to this ideal during the coming season, I cannot see why the club should not carry on and have a most successful year," he said. . Amendment Defeated A discussion ensued at considerable length before an amendment that the meeting be delayed for Hwo weeks to enable furtlier thought to be given to the question, was defeated by a big majority, and it was decided unanimously to carry on this season. The election of ofiicors resulteil as follows: — CbitT Orphan, Mr D. AI. r Campbell ; deputy-chiefs, Messrs N. »

1 Roach and W. Tucker ; committee, Messrs® R. McAlister, A. Dysart, R. Nimon, A. C. A. Hyde and B. U. Rickard; musical director, Mr C. Bryant ; honorary pianist, Mr W. Lordj honorary auditor, Mr A. E. Palmer; honorary secretary, . Mr T. A. Hannah ; honorary treasurer, Mr H. B. Elliott; programme committee, Messrs A. J. Hannon, N. Hallett, O. Shattky and G. Bryant. Mr Rivers gave notice of his intention to move at the second korero of the season that the question of nomination of officers be discussed. The frequency of the koreros for the coming season was briefly discussed. and it was decided that this matter, as also the fixation of the night oi the koreros, be left until the first korero, the date of which was left to the incoming committee to decide. Sugges-' tions made during the discussion were that the koreros should be held every three weeks and that Friday night should be the regular night.1 Women as Members On the suggestion of Mr Rivers it was decided to recommend to the 'committee that notices be sent to the members prior to every korero. The question. of admittjng women members was raised by Mr Rivers, who pointed out that in practically every other sphere women were being placed on the same footing as men, but this matter being one involving the policy of the club and there being no notice of motion concerning it, the discuBsion was ruled out of order. ' It was decided, however, that it be a recommendation to the committee that if considered abvisable, women be allowed to take part in the actual programme of entertainment on ladies' nights. The wonderful services given the club over a number of years by the conductor of the orchestra., Mr O. Bryant, were referred to by several members, and it was decided to reeord the club's a.ppreciation of his work in the minutes. ' Thanks were expressed to the retiring secretary, Mr G. E. G. Rogetrs, who refused reappointment, to Mr H. J. Grieve, the chairman of the programme committee, and to all tboSe who in any manner assisted the club during the season.