CHORAL SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19472, 6 May 1925, Page 3

CHORAL SOCIETY.

AXX UAL. MEET!XG. The annual meeting of the Dunedin Chonil Society was hol-I last night in the Bristol Concert Chamber, and was attended by some, IPO momhers. The Hon. G. M. Thomson (president) occupied the chair. The animal report stated that the honorary membership at the end of the year totalled 52,'t. The active membership now stood at 120, including a few on leave. The report outlined the activities of the society' during the year, and thanked all those who had assisted in the. work. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said he would like, to compliment Dr Galway on the performance of “Faust.” He was on Hint occasion a listener, and that had given him an opportunity of criticising the performance. which went without a hitch, fie desired to refer to (ho principal musical event of the year as far as choral music was concerned —viz., the establishment of (lie Exhibition Choir. It was highly desirable that Dunedin should make a most creditable appearance as a city in whicli musical culture was greatly; appreciated. The committee, through its representatives on the Music Committee of (he Exhibition, would like to have allowed the work of this society to lapse for a year, so that members might devote their energies to the work of the Exhibition. The matter \va’ informally discussed with those in authority, and had it been possible to come (o some arrangement the committee would have asked the society to suspend its operations for a year. Unfortunately the Exhibition authorities could not meet the society in the matter of finance, whicli was (he groat difficulty. The society had in the past incurred heavy obligations, and though the position had been materially improved during the past year the balance sheet still showed that it was in debt to the extent of over £IOO. If any arrangCT meat could have been come to relievo the society, the recommendation to suspend iis work till the close of the Exhibition would have been suggested.. As that could not lie achieved the society had no option l.nl to carry on. It spoke well for the appreciation of choral music in Dunedin that so many singers should come forward to support Hie various musical schemes which were in progress. There had been a (cadency in sonic directions (o criticise the Exhibition Company. He thought that was to tie deprecated. The. directors ami shareholders of Hie company committed (lieniselves with great courage and vigour to the carrying out of this Exhibition scheme. It had grown beyond the anticipation of the promoters, and they were faced with a very heavy liminciul responsibility. Any proposal such as that society could put forward could only be (rented on a business footing, and if tins result was disappointing to the society no fault could bn found with the decision of the directors. The musical programme for the Exhibition was estimated to cost somewhere about £16,000. This was for a season of a little over 20 weeks. That meant an outlay of about £l5O a day where the Exhibition was open. It was clear that the duty of every citizen of Otago was to support the Exhibition ns far as pos si bio. Their society would, lie believed, do its part to help the Exhibition authorities in providing musical entertainment and instruction. One of (lie outstanding difficulties in the carrying out of the society’s work was the lack of a large hall in the city. The fact that (he society’s concert last week had to be given on one night only caused many of its supporters to refrain from bonking seats, but (ho committee had no option in the matter. The. concert should have been given earlier in the season, but it was Impossible to get the theatre sooner. Me emphasised especially the obligation of the society to ])r Galway for his devotion lo Hie society’s interests. Only those associated • wiili him knew the hnrassments Incidental to the preparation for such a concert as was given last week. To a lessor degree (he committee had shared that burden and anxiety, and the members were under a great obligation lo those who had worked so arduously in the interests of Hie society. (Bond applause.) It was hoped to have sent 100 members to Wellington during Hie past year, but the date chosen—some time in November—was Unsuitable, and the proposal had to lie abandoned. It wn;-, however, hoped that the Wellington Choral Society would be able to visit Dunedin luring the Exhibition, period.—(Applause.) Mr W. L. Logie, in seconding the motion, said there was a very largo number oi musical societies in the dominion, and all of them wore doing good work. Recently they had received a communication- from Dargaville, showing that interest was extending to tho far north of ' Auckland. Choral societies must have an educative effect on tho community. lie concluded by referring in complimentary terms to the work done by Mr Kirk, tho lion, secretary. Mr H. Renfreo (hon. treasurer) said no regretted that the society could not show a better balance sheet. The receipts during the year amounted to £757 12s Bd, and tho expenditure to £764 10s 7d. The society started with a credit balance of £2l 0s 6d, and finished with a credit balance of £l4 2s 7d. Ho expected tho active and performing members to make a bold effort during the year to assist tho society financially by disposing of tickets and getting honorary members. Their outstanding liabilities today wore £lO3, and ho was looking forward to seeing this wiped off and a substantial credit: balance in its place at the end of the current year.—(Apjilau.se.) Mr G. S. Thomson said that Mr, Ronfrce had not been quite fair to himself when ho referred to the society’s liability of £lO3. lie should have mentioned that tho deficit at the commencement of tho year was approximately £2OO, so that the society was really £IOO hotter off than it was 12 months ago.—(Loud applause.) He thought the subscribers scarcely realised the excellent value they got for their money. Tho motion for the adoption of the report was then put and carried. The’ following office-bearers wore then elected for the ensuing year Patron, tho Governor-General; vice-patron the Mayor of Dunedin; president, the Hon. G. M. Thomson, M.L.C.; conductor, Dr Galway; leader. Mr J. Wallace; accompanist. Miss Hartley; hon. librarians, Mr_Leslie Adams and Sir J. Clarke; hon. solicitor, Mr W. R. Brugh; hon. auditor, Mr David Leslie. Air 11. F. Desmoulins moved that the election of vice-presidents, committee, secretary, and treasurer be left over to a future general meeting of members, 110 said ho moved this motion for tho reason that the society was faced with a difficult year, and they had to exercise caution as to whom they elected The interval between now am! the holding of the meeting, say a fortnight hence, would give members an opportunity of choosipg the right men. Messrs Kirk and Renfreo wore standing down, and ho thought the society should be prepared to combine these two offices and pay a man to undertake the duties. They wanted every member to take a keen interest in the society and to send in nominations for tho offices mentioned before tho mooting took place. If the rigid men were chosen for these positions there was no reason why they should not finish next year with a credit balance.—(Ap-, pbviiso.) Tho motion was seconded by Mr C. Ruben and carried. Votes of thanks to Mr Leslie for acting as auditor, and to the chariman for presiding, terminated tho meeting.