ORDCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Southland Times, Issue 18818, 11 May 1920, Page 6

ORDCHESTRAL SOCIETY

A REGISTERED BODY. There was a large attendance at a meeting held last night of those interested in the re-formation of the present Invercargill Orchestral Society into a duly registered and incorporated organisation. Mr A. Le H. Hoyles was voted to the chair. The chairman explained that the present position resulted from .the Town Council’s not taking over the Society as offered to the municipality. The usefulness of the body had been restricted owing to the fact that the Victoria Hall could nut accommodate the people desiring to gain admission to the concerts. Therefore,' the committee had decided that the only course was i move into the Theatre. But before this was done it was desired to put the Society in a position to carry on in a larger way, Mr Hoyles paid a tribute to the work accomplished by the Society’s conductor (Mr W. Ferguson) for the benefit of music in Invercargill. It was now necessary, he added, to increase the number of honorary members considerably. In this connection the co-operation of the present active and honorary members of the Society was desired. Any person who wished to become a member should inquire from the secretary for particulars. During the last week over 20 honorary members had been added to the list. There could be no doubt, he concluded, that, judging from the patronage already given to the orchestra, the opportunity of attending its concerts at popular prices would be largely availed of by the general public. It was decided to register the organisation as “The Invercargill Orchestral Society,” and to restrict playing membership to those qualifying before the conductor, leader, and a member of the committee. The election of office-bearers resulted;— President, Hon. A. F. Hawke; vice-presi-dents : Messrs R. A. Anderson, G. Cbewings, J. Giikison, A. !c 11, Hoyles, A. H. Mackrell, A. 11. Stock, Drs. Ritchie Crawford and R. H. Hogg; trustees, Messrs W. J. Ferguson and A. H. Stock; committee: Messrs J. D. Gilmore, H. Hay, E. Le Petit, W. Millar, P. West; librarians, Misses M. Anderson and F. Potter; hon. secretary, Mr R. M. Strang; hon. treasurer, Mr C. Callender; hon. auditor, Mr F. Scandrett.