CAMBRIDGE HARMONIC SOCIETY.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 255, 5 March 1898, Page 4

CAMBRIDGE HARMONIC SOCIETY.

TltK annual meeting of the above society was held in the Cambridge Public Halt on Thursday evening, at 7.30 p m. There was a good attendance of members, and everything betokens that the society is in a flourishing condition. Archdeacon Willis was voted to the chair, and after the minutes of the last annual meeting had been confirmed, the balance-sheet for the past year was read by the Treasurer, Mr G. S. Dixon. It showed a small credit balance of 3s 41 and outstanding subscriptions amounting to £3 2s 6d. The liabilities of the society are £1 7a 6d, and the turnover for the year was £33 10s.—The balance-sheet was duly adopted. On the motion of Mr Hartly, seconded by Mr Perkins, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Rout for the able manner in which he had conducted at the rehearsals ami concerts of the society, and for the great interest he had at all times displayed in forwarding its interests. The Chairman strong'y supported the motion, which was carried by acclamation.

Mr Rout was then unanimously reelected to the office, which be kindly consented to accept. A similar vote of thanks was then accorded Mr Dixon, who had been Secretary and Treasurer during the past year, and to whom a great measure of the society's success was due. —He briefly thanked the members and nominated Mr C. Nixon as his successor, which was unanimously agreed to. Mr Nixon said he shou'd feci a pleasure in doing his utmost to help the Society along. Another vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Pilcher for the admirable manner in which she had played the accompaniments for the Society. If there is one officer of the Society that deserves the thanks of its members more than another, it is Mrs Pilcher. We do not believe she was ever appointed accompanist, but somehow she slipped into the billet, and since that time she has discharged the duties faithfully and well. We sincerely trust she will be the re--cipient of a more substantial souvenir of her connection with the Society than a bald vote of thanks. We need hardly state she was asked to again play the accompaniments for the Society, to which she kindly consented. The following were elected to serve upon the Committee : Mrs Pilcher, Misses McVeagh and Harris, Messrs Dixon and Perkins.

It was resolved to reduce the sub Bcription to : Ladies 2s 6d and gentlemen 7s Sd for the season. The change will be a very welcome one, for the monthly payments were not at all satisfactory, no one seeming to know when they had paid what was due ; and this year the Society will not have to pay for platforms, lamps, etc., so the reduced amount will doubtless prove sufficient for all purposes. Mr Dixon referred to the loss sustained by Mr Kout in having a quantity of music destroyed by the fire on the Auckland wharf. It had been sent for on behalf of the Society, and he did not think the members would wish Mr Rout to sustain a loss of nearly £8 on their behalf.

Mr Rout wished the matter passed over, but several objected and jt was finally resolved to refund the amount as soon as the Society was in a sufficiently flourishing condition*. Some discussion ensued as to changing the evenings on which the practise should be held, but it was fiually resolved to adhere to Thursday. It was resolved to have an open re hearsal instead of a concert on the Thursday before Good Friday, when the latter portion of the " Messiah " will be given. A practiso then took place, and it was a very successful one, proving that the members are making considerable advance in the art of reading music.