THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1194, 13 February 1880, Page 2

THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of members of the Oamaru Philharmonic Society was held at the .Volunteer Hall last evening. The President (Mr. J. Booth) occupied the chair, and there was a very good attandance of members. The Chairman read the following annual report :-iThe Committee, in presenting the second report aiid balance sheet to the members of the society, have much pleasure in referring to the progress made during the past year. The society has given four performances during the term, besides a benefit concert towards the Kaitangata Relief .Fund, and an entertainment in connection with.the Volunteer Hall. Each concert has Been characterised by the performance of highclass music, which it' has always been the study of the Committee to cultivate in the society's practices. . .. . . . A string band has been formed dunrig' the year, which has materially assisted to strengthen the society. A grand piano was purchased at.the beginning of the year, at a cost of eighty guineas, L2O of which is still'unpaid. The Committee hope .that the sound basis on which the society now rests will induce all performing members to put forth increased efforts, and give punctual attendance at practices, and that the roll' of honorary members may ;ba largely increased during the ensuing year. Although there has beeri a 'falling off in the number of honorary members ,ior the past year, doubtless attributable to the extreme dullness of the times and scarcity of money, there has been, nevertheless, an increase of performing members ; and, now that the society has ; been thoroughly established, your Committee would recommend that during next year the pei;-. formances consist of : works of a more popular character, and.thereby be.a means of increasing the funds of the society. The balance sheet shows that we are in a more flourishing state than at any previous period, which is very encouraging when taking into consideration the recent depression. It will be remembered that List year we started with a cash balance of L2O ; double bass, value LlO ; music, L 5 ; total assets, L 35. At present our total assets are estimated at L 65. Your Committee, in relinquishing their duties, desire to express a hope that the society may continue to prosper as much in the future as it has done in the past. The Hon. Treasurer (Mr. Medlicott) read the balance sheet, which showed the receipts to have been Li 44 lis lid, and the expenses L 144 9s 3d, thus leaving a balance of only 2s Bd. The liabilities of the Society were shown to amount to L 29 9sj chiefly on account of the piano, and the assets were put down at L 95. On the motion of Mr. J. G. Finch, seconded by Mr. Greenfield, the report and balance sheet were adopted. The election of office-bearers was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows : President, Mr. H. A. Medlicott; VicePresident, Mr. J. Hardy; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. J. Booth; Hon. Secretary, Mr. J. Hassell, jun. ; Librarian, Mr. E. Booth ; Conductor, Mr. J. G. Finch; Leader, Mr. G. Jones; Committee, Messrs. T. Forrester, G. A. Sutton, G. Greenfield, J. Walls, J. Mitchell, A. Frew, W. Brunton, J. Lemon, and T. H. Brown. A vote of thanks to the outgoing officebearers terminated, the proceedings. A short practice of " then took : place, the principal choruses being takenin a manner that augurs well for the success of the opera.