A PROPOSAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2037, 24 April 1890, Page 3

A PROPOSAL.

TO THE EDITOR, JSra,-- Knowing well you will readily sympathise with any suggestion which will be likely to lead to any local adTrance materially or morally, I ask the favor of space in your columns to express my feelings on what I consider has long been a marked blank in our community as a moral and intellectual recreation, for want of which all . society must more or less feel the baneful effects. The season for outdoor amusements (lawn tennis, etc.) in which the fair sex can take part is now come to a close, and great credit is due to those who are endeavoring to establish a debating society, which I trust will he warmly supported, without any denominational conservatism, which so often proves fatal to the achievement of important ends, while ‘ a general social fraternity would ensure its success. I cannot pass without making a remark on what I consider a decided advance and invaluable

privilege to our youth who are anvious to make further progress in their education. I must congratulate them and .urge them to increased effort to attain the end which, if properly ap- . plied,.must be to their benefit as well as gratifying' to their enthusiastic - master, Mr Ramie, who willingly ; sacrifices evening leisure to give them an opportunity otherwise unattainable, I need not say that a tribute of gratitude is due to that gentleman from our community generally. Notwithstanding these benefits they will not fill up the blank to which I allude, vis., the want of a choral society, which has been so severely felt for many years, by those who once enjoyed and could . appreciate its social, moral, and in- , tellectual influence oh society at large. It seems a remarkable lact that Temuka should stand, I may say alone among colonial communities of equal number, lacking an institution of which she had need to be proud, when her population could not have been more than half her present roll. I hare no doubt a choral society would ; have been revived some years ago, when a warm and able patron, who was taking great interest in its establishment, was unexpectedly called away by business. There is no reason why we should still be contented to remain without this essential

source of instruction and entertainment, in which society at large would participate. Although comparatively few of the old society would be available, owing to removals, by death or otherwise, family ties, &c., I have no doubt that sufficient sparks would still be found to aid in fanning into a flame what has long been allowed to lie dormant, except with the favored few who were in a pecuniary position to employ professional talent privately. Essential as is a competent teacher lor music (instrumental or vocal) to enable pupils to attain any degree of competence, in this subline and soul inspiring accomplishment, when taken individually, one end only is attained, viz , melody, except in key-board instruments (piano, organ, &e.). To discuss the technicalities of chorus or other part music (vocal or orchestral), all grades or tones of voice or instruments must be trained in combination ; as solo music is only one branch of musical accomplishment, in which comparatively few amateurs can attain to anything like a state of proficiency. A* choral society is the only means by wiiich the music of our finest com-

posers can be brought within the reach of all who have voices, and a natural instinct and love for music, assisted by the training of a competent conductor. With our numerous rising generation, together with those of maturer years, who have had the privilege of previous training, it is idle to suppose that ample material : would not be found within available distance to form such a. society. True lover's of music will never allow conservative denominational opinions to scatter such a fraternity once formed ; and-it r.only requires; those more eom- , petent.and influential than my humble self (though ever willing to share in the work), to interest themselves in this cause, to see the same speedily carried out. Numbers can accomplish great ends with a small expense, and I have no fear that numerous honorary members would be wanting to assist the society in so plausible a work. "When a competent professor like Mr Wolf is weekly coming amengsr. us, teaching the favoured few whose means will allow it, I have no doubt he would undertake to conduct such a society once formed. No one can fail to see the effects of its want in our several church choirs, where a steady decrease in the ranks has been obvious for a considerable time, without the willing and competent recruits to take their places. Trusting others who have the good cause at heart will exert themselves, I must draw it'to a close before I tire your patience. lam etc., PATEErAMILIAS, A well-wisher to the cause.