NEW PLYMOUTH MALE CHOIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1919, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH MALE CHOIR.

ANNUAL MEETING. Mr. W- Amlrary, vice-president, presided at the annual meeting of the New I'Plymouth Male Choir, held in the Soldiers' Club last niglkfc. The statement of receipts and expenditure showed that during the year the revenue totalled £lßl lis lid, including concerts ( £4l 13s, £2B 5s 6d, £2B 15s—£100 lis), honorary members £4O 0s 6d, active £2B 19s. Expenditure totalled £173 12s 9d, leaving cash in hand £$ 19s 2d.

I The secretary's report referred to the loss sustained by the death of Messrs Arthur Ambury and J. J. Dwyer. Conj'cetning the activities of the choir, apart i from the three concerts given, the memj.bers had assisted at the Cafe Chantant ion July 11; farewelled several members the railway station on September j fO; visited Stratford on October 17 for {.patriotic purposes; visited Inglewood on {October 31 for a similar purpose; and !:gave a social to the returned soldiers }:ond veterans at the Good Templar Hall i'on April 23. Concerning attendances, I the average for the first concert was 47 I and for the second 33, and there was a fall to 31 for the third. This was principally created by members going into camp. It is a matter of congratulation that/ the choir plodded along so well as it did. There was need for reeonstitution and a good policy to he formed during the year. The choir had the material in the ranks, a capable conductor, and a public which manifests a cordial interest in the choir's activites. In moving the adoption of the report and the chairman regretted that they had lost several members through death and removal. The concerts generally had proved very successful under the circumstances, as many members had been incapacitated and prevented from rendering the assistance they might have otherwise rendered. The results of the year's work had resulted in a profit of £49. This might not be considered very satisfactory, but the main point of the choir was to raise the standard of music, and he thought in that direction it was satisfactory. Regarding the membership, there were many returned soldiers who were members prior to going away, and efforts 6hould be made to get them to rejoin the ranks. He urged all to do what they could to put everything into the choir.

Mr. E. G. Johnston said it was necessary, in the interests of the choir, to secure a larger membership of honorary subscribers. Ho thought that, with a little activity, they could largely increase the list.

* Mr. N. Fulton, in touching upon the duties of the conductor,! stated that many members did not do enough practice at home. This was not fair to the conductor.. Regarding the programme, he thought they were making a mistake in not making the programme more varied, and a little more comedy would be appreciated. At one concert this might have been a little overdone, but ho was sure it would be a good move to have a few comedy items included in future programmes. Members should also make every effort to induce the very best singers in the town to join. The weak spot in the finances was the honorary members, and with a little energy this should be largely increased. Mr- Davis, treasurer, after explaining the items of the balance-sheet in detail, thought the year had proved very good. There were, however, many people in the town who might assist the choir but had refrained from doing so. The value of music purchased during the vear was £l4 13s 3d.

The report was then adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS,

Officers were elected as follows: Patron, Mr. C H. Burgess (re-elected); president, Dr. Walker (re-elected); vicepresidents, Archdeacon Evans, Colonel Weston, A. J. Morton, and A. S. Brooker; committee, Messrs G. White, N. Fulton, R. Day, J. J. Powell, H. J. Watkins; conductor, F. W- MeLeod (re-elected); secretary, H. Bullen (re-elected); treasurer, F. T. Davis (re-elected); librarian, W. H. Reader (re-elected). Votes of thanks to the retiring officers and to the chairman concluded the meetng-