CHORAL SOCIETY.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 40, 10 May 1879, Page 3

CHORAL SOCIETY.

A meeting of persons favorable to the formation of a Choral Society was held m tVe Mayor's room, at the Public Hall, on Wednesday evening. There were about twenty persons present, the larger proportion being ladies. On the motion of Mr. Seaton, seconded by Mr. Pirani, the chair was taken by Mr. Eliot Warburton. The Chairman said that they had a Choral Society m Feilding and Foxfcon for some time, and he thought the time bad arrived when they should also have one m Palmerston. He was not one o* the promoters of the movement, however, and he hoped some of those who were now present would be able to give more particulars ac to how they were going to proceed. Mr. Seaton said that after the result of the late concert, and the success which had attended ifc, a good many persons suggested that they should have a Choral Society here. He had written to the Feilding, Foxtoo, and Wanganui Societies for copies of their rules, but he had as yet only received a copy from Wanganui, which he submitted to the meeting. He had much pleasure m proposing that a Society be formed, to be called " Tbe Palmerston Harmonic Society." Mr. G-BAFF seconded the motion, and m doing so said they had been talking about such a thing for a long time, and he was glad to see that steps' had at length been taken for" the formation of a Choral Society. The motion was carried unanimously, a ( very emphatic "Aye" coming from where the ladies were seated; „** - j Mr. Seaton then proceeded to read the rule 9of the Wanganui Philharmonic Society, m order that those present might have a better idea how to proceed. A long discussion took place as to what should constitute membership, and the fees to be charged. Eventually it was decided that working members Bhould pay half-a-guinea per annum, and that non-working members should subscribe a guinea per annum ; the latter term being substituted for "honorary members," as being tjhc more correct term. On proceeding to the election of officers. Mr-, Graff said he thought it would be well that a committee should be chosen from the ncn-working, or honorary, members, as the working .members would be compelled to attend rehearsals, and -both duties might clash. Mr. FlQAtfi considered that the committee meetings could be held after the rehearsals, las was the pas» m nearly every other Society, . Mr. S baton said there were some positions which honorary members could not well fill, such as that of librarian and secretary. Mr, PjBAJn proposed that Mr.Snelson b« elected President of ther Society. Seconded by Mr, Wusf, and carried unanimously. Mr. J3haton proposed that Mr. Eliot Warburton be elected Vice-President. Seconded by Mr. Gbatf, and carried unanimously. Mr. Pirani proposed that Mr. Seaton be appointed Conductor pro tern., «nd Mr. Watson seconded thd motion, — Carried, Mr. Seatoy said that at the . end of a month he would resign, m order that, the Society might have a better opportunity of making a superior selection by that time, or confirming his election if it thought proper. . Mr. Seaton proposed^ and Mr. Wbst seconded, that Mr, Pirani be elected Secretary.—Carried. Mr. West proposed, and Mr. Watson seconded, that Mr. Mitfofd be requested i to act as Treasurer to the Society. — Carried. Messrs. Watson, West, Perrin, Seaton, and Pirani were elected a Sub-Committee to draft rules and Bubmit them at the next meeting; After the customary vo^e of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting adjourned till Wednesday next, at seven o'clock, all those present having signified their intention of becoming members, and also promising that they would endeavour- to get as many of their friend* to join as they could. j