CHRISTCHURCH LIEDERTAFEL.
The annual meeting of the members of the above was held last night at the rooms, Hobbs , Buildings. The chair was occupied by Mr "W. G. Rhind, the Presi" dent of the Society, and there was a good attendance of members.
The i'uEUWKsr read the annual report of the Committee. The report congratulated the Society on the success of the year's work, and pointed out that several new members had boon admitted. The linancial condition of the Society was very good indeed, as, after meeting all demands, a further sum of £30 had been voted to the library fund and there was still a credit balance of £14 11s Del. The library fund nowvstood with a cash credit balance of j≤37 17s 4d, the sum of £l\» 2s 7d having been expended on musical works, amongst which may be mentioned an entire set of the Chicktsring collection of male voice part shortly to come from America. Mr Towsey, the popular conductor, intending- to pay a visic to Australia, leave of absence had been granted to him and Mr A. J. Mcrton had been requested to take up the labor, which he had consented to do.
The Secretary (Mr Barnett) read the balance-sheet.
The President moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet in a few words, congratulating the Society on the progress made. Mr Harley seconded the motion for the adoption of the report, and trusted that the members would so work under Mr Towsey's locum tenvns during his absence that on his return lie would liud that the members had progressed.
Mr Barkas said he trusted the Society would continue in the line they haft adopted, and sing the best music for men's voices that was obtainable. He hoped, further, to see a small orchestra formed attached to the Liedertafel. He would also point out that in their ladies' social concerts Chere was a tendency to give too loii£ a prolamine. He thought that they weed out some of tiie items on their programmes, so as to make the performance shorter.
The motion for the adoption ot the report was then put and carried. The election of oiHcers resulted as follows, which meant the re-election of all the old officers: —President, Mr \V. G. lihind : Conductor, Mr Towsey ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr T. Baruett. Committee— Messra Appleby, Carrick, Evans, Hobbs and Meares.
The President, then, on behalf of the members, presented Mr Towsey with a golden lyre, the highest honor which the Society could bestow, as a mark of the appreciation of the high musical and social qualities possessed by Mr Towsey. Air Towsey briefly responded," and said that at the end of his visit to Melbourne he should come back to the Society ready to take up the work of the Society. H. 3 wished to call attention to the work of the year as beiiiij excellent. As regarded thu orchestra, he thought that they rniyht have an amateur orchestra, as they were not in a position to pay a professional to take charge of their orchestra.
Mr Pickering moved—" That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr Khind, the President, the Secretary, and the Committee." Without Mr l-shiuri the Society would lose much of ics success as a social organisation. The Secretary, ilr T. H. Baruett, was a most, remarkiiblc secretary —one o!i the best he (Mr Pickering) had ever seen. The Committee had also worked most zealously during the year. Mr sec-iiicitiil the motion.
Mr Towsev called attention to the many services rendered by Mr T. Barnett, who worked very hard for the Society.
The motion was carried. JNIr A. M. Oliivier wrote presenting a complete set oi : the Orpheus ylee books. The gift was acknowledged with rhau'cs.
Afcer the meeting, on die invitation of the President, the members adjourned to the Canterbury Club to supper. The chair was occupied by the President, and the vice-chairs by .Mr A. Towsoy and Mr Carrick. The toasts of "The President," "The Conductor and the Secretary," "The Visitors," and "The Press" were duly honored, and during the eventuc the mcmbe» sung " The Little Baiting, and solos were given by other gentlemen. Altogether a most pleasant evening was Bpeuc.
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