CHRISTCHURCH HARMONIC SOCIETY.

Press, Volume XXIII, Issue 3077, 3 July 1875, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH HARMONIC SOCIETY.

The second annual meeting of the above society, was held last evening at the Canterbury Music Hall. Mr Bowron, president of the society, took the chair.

The chairman said he would not detain them very long. This was, hu believed, the second annual meeting of the society, and thr.T found, after all, that their positionwas cot so bad. For this result, he thought they were indebted greatly to their own exertions. They had cried to Jupiter, and also to Minerva, to help them, and their position was now that of being out of debt. [Hear, hear. J Mr Stephens (hon eec) read the minutes of last meeting, which were confirmed.

The chairman said that he desired to point" out that it rested with the members generally to push forward the sooiety; it depended upon them, by inducing members to join it They nfuat recollect that they required at least double the number of subscribers, ao the rent alone, not to mention other liabilities which had to be met, was a serious item. Hβ regretted very much that the attendance of a portion of the working members was far from what it ought to have been, particularly on the part of the gentlemen. It was very hard on the conductor and the librarian to come to practices and find only two or three tenors. He (the chairman) had noticed most particularly at the practices for " Naaman" that this was markedly the case. He might, however, say that the band had attended most punctually, and had made great improvement. He trusted fhafc next year he should not have to complain of the want of regular attendance, but that gentlemen would make it a point of honour to leave Friday nights clear of any engagement except that of the practice. [Hear, hear.] Mr Stephens, the hon secretary, then read the following BEPOBT. " 1. The committee, in reporting on the work and business of the society during its second year of existence, congratulate the members on the measure of success attained; and that, notwithstanding their having to provide against and face every kind ef difficulty, they consider that there has been a decided improvement in the affaire of the sooiety as compared with its first season.

" 2. The committee have to report one or two changes that have taken place in the management of the society. In September last the honorary secretary, Mr A. R. Inwood, wascompelled to resign on account of business engagements; his resignation was received with deep regret, and the absence of his services has been a great loss to the com* mittee and the society. Mr H. H. Lougbnan then kindly undertook the duty, and continued to act until February, 1875, when he, also found it necessary to resign in consequence of having to leave Christchurch for a temporary period. He was succeeded by Mr J. Stephens, who has from that time fulfilled the office of honorary secretary to the society.

. "In May last a vacancy in the committee was filled by the election of Mr J. T. Hart, who kindly consented to act. Mr B. Sear* , rell wae formally appointed organist to the \

mc daily papers, and the revision made. The number of reliable members now on the roll, being eighty-four { viz., soprano and alto, thirty-seven ; tenor and bass, twenty-nine; and band, eighteen. A list of their names will be placed in the Hall for inspection on the next practice night. "7. The average attendance during the rehearsale of ' Naaman' was fifty-four ; ladies, twenty-five; gentlemen, seventeen ; band r twelve. It will be seen that the attendance of the vocal members, bat more particularly as regards the gentlemen, has been far from what it should be; the average of the latter being only seventeen ont ot twenty-nine ; and it may be mentioned that even this average is by no means a regular one, for during six of the thirteen rehearsals there were less than fifteen gentlemen (vocalists) present. The committee, therefore, desire earnestly to bring these facto before the notice of members, in hopes of a larger attendance daring the approaching new season, for, unless a marked improvement in this respect takes place, it will be impossible for the committee or the society to carry on the work satisfactorily, either musically, or otherwise.

" 8. The question of increasing the number of vocal members has been folly discussed, bat the committee have been enable to decide upon any definite plan for such purpose, bat would set forth that it is the dot; as well as the privilege of all qualified ladiefi and gentlemen to become members of, and otherwise assist the society; and unless each persons come forward, its ranks must of necessity be reiy much, goalie* tfaaa tbej

ongbt to be in a'city of such extent and importance as Christchurch.

"9. On the accounts being made up in May last, the Treasurer reported the society to be about £50 in debt, when it was decided to call a special general meeting of the members to consider the subject of finance. This was done, and at the meeting a list was opened for donations to clear off the deficiency. This call was liberally responded to by many of the members, having evidently the interests of the society at heart. Subsequently the committee issned 'collecting cardV foi obtaining donations, and also subscribers to the new season. These carde, although they have well repaid the expense of printing, Sec, were not so successful as they might have been.

" 10. The librarian reports that the property of the society is in good order, valued at £160, and insured. The double-base, in exception, being in the hands of Mr 0. Bonnington, who has kindly undertaken to get it repaired.

"11. The following snggestione, after mature consideration of the committee, are recommended to the general meeting for adoption, as likely to be of especial use in promoting the general interests of the Society :— "a. That subscribers of £1 receive ten tickets, and of 10e four tickets, which shall be available for any concerts of the season, and that eingle tickets be procurable for any concert at 3s each.

" i. That the subscription for all perfonniu; members (ohe band and lady and gentlemen vocalists) be 10b for the season, payable half-yearly in advance. In the case of a family the maximum subscription to be£l.

"c. That during the new season four concerts be given. First •Elijah,' second < Messiah' (this work to be a material concert of the society, to be performed annually at Christmas), third ' Last Judgment , and •Walpnrgis Night,' and fourth to include two instrumental pieces by the band, with the works ' Faith and Adoration' and Mendelssohn's ' Hear my Prayer. ,

" d. That the committee be empowered to engage, when expedient, professional assistance for any concert of the society. " In closing this portion of the report, the committee are pleased to state, that taking all matters into consideration, they believe the society to be in a sound position, and that with a little more co-operation amongst musical people generally on its behalf, and a determination of the members to use their beet exertions for its advancement, it will during the new season, achieve a greater, amount of unanimity and success than has been obtained by any former society in Gbristchurch.

» 12. Financial.—The treasurer is glad to report the society to be in a more satisfactory financial position than at any time since its formation,? The total receipts during the year amount to £195 Ha 10s, and the expenditure, in which is included all outstanding liabilities to date, to £19418s 10d. The society is therefore now entirely free from debt, and has a surplns wherewith to commence the new season of 16s. The action taken, as reported in paragraph nine, has assisted largely in effecting the present very satisfactory position, £34 0s 6d having been collected by this means and appropriated towards paying off the estimated deficit to the end of the current year. It ie hoped that during the ensuing year the list of subscribers will be considerably increased, in order that the committee may not again be compelled to take so undesirable a step as asking for donations in aid of the society, and the assistance of each member of the society is invited in this matter, as with very little trouble (individually) the income from this sonrce could be materially and legitimately increased.

" J. Stephens, Hon Sec." Hie jWorehip the Major moved that the report be received. In aoewer to a question from Mr Lean, Mr Stephens said that the debt of some £60 spokenjof, included £25 remaining over from a former season, and was due mainly to the heavy expenses incurred in the amalgamation of the two societies. The treasurer (Mr J. S. Jameson) read his statement, from which it appeared that there vas a balance in hand of 16s. Mr Lean seconded the motion of his Worship the Mayor, which was agreed to. His Worship the Mayor then moved the adoption of the report. Alter some discussion, the motion was agreed to onanimously. Mr A. Carrick moved that rule 4 of the society be amended, and read as follows:— " That all performing members be elected by the committee, and be entitled to a single ticket to each of the society's concerts, and that the subscriptions for such performing members (instrumentalists and vocalists) shall be 10s per annum, payable half-yearly in advance. In the case of a family the maximum subscription for the year to be £1. Ladies shall not be entitled: to vote at any meeting of the society."

Mr Sheath seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

Mr Triphook moved— ,. That rule 7of the society be rescinded, and the following substituted, viz:—'That subscribers of £1 Is receive ten tickets, and of 10s 6d four tickets, which shall be available for any concerts of the seaeon, and that siDgle tickets be procurable for any concert at 3s each, but no such subscriber shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of the society.' "

Mr Feldwick seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

The following office-bearers were the appointed for the ensuing year:—President, Mr George Bowron, sen, (re-elected); vice-presi-dents, his Worship the Mayor and Mr A. Curick ; conductor, Mr J. Knox (re-elected); leader, Mr O. Bonnington (re-elected) ; librarian, Mr B. Davis (re-elected); treasurer, Mr J. B.Jameson (re-elected); hon secretary, Mr A. P. Sheath. The following gentlemen were elected on the committee:—Messrs Feldirick, J. T. Hart, and Stephens. Mr Feldwick proposed a vote of thanks to Mr B. Searell for his gratuitous services as organist That gentleman had been most aanduous during the season, and he fully deserved a hearty vote of thanks., Hia Worship the Mayor seconded the motion, He knew that Mr Searell had taken a great deal of pains in practising, and had rendered very valuable services during the J«w. [Hear, hear.] The motion was agreed to. Hi Carrick proposed a vote of thanks to tbe president. Mr Stephens seconded the motion, which TO agreed to. Mr Lean then proposed a vote of thanks *<> Mr J. Knox, their able conductor; Mr C. Boonington, the leader, and other officers, for their services during tne year. Mr Sheath Feconded the motion, which was •greed to.

&r J, Stephens moved a vote of thanks to «c lady soloists. Sir J. S. Jameson seconded the motion, *aieu was agreed to. The meetipg then adjourned.