CHRISTCHURCH MUSICAL SOCIETY.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7262, 23 January 1889, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH MUSICAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Ctejst^ureh Musical Society was held at the V.M.C.A. rooms on Jan. Bth. The President, the Yen. Archdeacon Lingard, occupied the chair. There was a fair attendance of members. The Chairman said it must have been satisfactory, and perhaps rather surprising, that the Society should have come out with a credit balance. (Applause.) For some time past the Society had been struggling with difficulties in the financial way. It commenced the year with a debit balance of £64 15s 6d, which was discharged, and the Committee brought down a report showing a credit balance of £9 9s 6d. The assets were £272, and there were no liabilities—(loud applause)— so that the Society had reason to congratulate itself upon its condition at the present time. It was decided to take the re ort and balance-sheet as read. The report is as follows :— "Your Committee has great pleasure in presenting the report for the year 1888, a year which has been a most satisfactory one for the Society, whether considered from a musical or a financial point of view. During the year four concerts were given. The first consisted of Gade's Cantata ' Comala,' and of a miscellaneous part. The second, of Handel's 'Alexander's Feast,' and Mendelssohn's 'Loreley.' The third, of Gade's Cantata ' Psyche'; and the fourth, of 'The Messiah.' Your Committee, desiring to make ' The Messiah' concert a special feature, invited -the assistance of the musical public in Christchurch with such success that the first performance was given on December 20th in the Palace Skating Rink hy an orchestra and chorus of over 290 members, to by far the largest mnaical audience ever assembled in New Zealand. The performance was in every respect a most satisfactory one, and was repeated on Christmas night. It should be mentioned that Mr Donnolly, the proprietor of the Skating Rink, rendered most valuable services in making these performances a pecuniary success, and in the opinion of your Committee has behaved with great liberality in his financial dealings with the Society. The Society has to regret the loss of the services of Mr Towsey, who resigned his office of Conductor, as be intended leaving Christchurch. Mr F. M. Wallace was appointed hissuccessor, and he conducted the •'Psyche"Concertandbothperformancesof the " Messiah." A large portion of the musical success of the Society during the year is due to tbe 'markedly increased efficiency of the orchestra, an increase in the opinion of your Committee undoubtedly owing to tbe influence of Mr Wallace. After Mr Wallace took the office of conductor, the post of leader was ably filled by Mr Skelton. The number of nonperforming members whose names are on the books of the Society, and who have actually paid their subscription is 108, aud of performing members 107. All the music in the Society's library is now fully paid for. It will be remembered that nearly £300 has been expended thereon during the past seven years in the purchase of i works of the most successful and modern composition. The financial affairs of the Society must be considered most satisfac- ; tory. Starting with a debit of £84 15s 6d, |as appears from tbe balance-sheet presented herewith, tbe Society has now a cash balance to the credit of £9 9s 6d, as well as several outstanding accounts; and this notwithstanding the fact" that the annual expenditure of the Society has I been increased during the year by the sum " of £50 paid to Mr Wallace for his services as leader. There are no liabilities. Your Committee would earnestly recommend to your consideration the question whether the Society should arrange for a musical festival on a scale 'at least equal to that of the late Musical Festival at Wellington. To do this would, however, require a large influx of performing members; for such an undertaking could hardly be carried to a . successful issue except with a large chorus and orchestra accustomed; to perform together lender their own conductor. The inviting and obtaining of outside assistance, though eminently successful with regard to the performance of such an oratorio as the " Messiah," would be- impracticable in connection with such a festival. Your Committee, whilst recognising the fact that the Society is now in a most satisfactory condition, would yet urge upon the members the necessity of continued exerfcions in order to maintain that position. Every member is earnestly requested to do his or her very best to induce other persons to join the Society, either as performing or non-performing members. The Chairman read a letter of apology from Mr Meares, reviewed the report, referred to the. liberal manner in which Mr Donnelly had acted in regard to the " Messiah " concert, and then moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr H. CoTTERiu, seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Izard moved a vote of thanks to those choirs, Societies, and ladies . and gentlemen who had assisted at the " Messiah " concert. Mr C. F. Tuknbr seconded the motion, which was carried without dissent, A similar vote was passed to Mr J. S. Jameson, who had audited the accounts. The election of officers resulted as follows: — President, Hon. W.- Beeves ; Vice-Presidents, Yen. Archdeacon Lingard, A. Appleby, W. Izard, H. H. Loughuan, and W. D. Meares; Librarian, Mr C. F. Turner; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr J. J. Kinsey; Committee—Mesdames Fletcher and Garrard, Messrs G. King, H. Seager, and H. Johnston; Conductor, Mr F. M. Wallace. The appointment of leader was left to the Committee and Mr Wallace. The Secretary said that Mr Lonargan had written asking if the Society would f;ive the Hallelujah chorus at the openng of the Shakesperian Festival. - Mr PuiDioE 'moved—" That it is undesirable to accede to the request." He did not think that the Society should agree to. perform in the interests of any religious denomination. Mr WrrHBRS seconded the motion. Mr Kinsey said that he was of opinion that the Musical Society, as a Society, should agree to the resolution, but personally he did not see any objection to members privately assisting in the way asked. The motion was carried. 'Mr Izard referred to the clause In the 'report relating to a musical festival being held in Christchurch. He saw no reason why a festival should not be held in the Palace Rink, which was a place equally as -suitable as the Garrison Hall, in which, the Wellington festival f ook place. The matter was one for careful consideration, , and he suggested that anopinion of the meeting should be taken and a recommendation made to the new Committee. He believed that Mr Donnelly would give his assis- ; ranee. There was also another question. It was whether or not it was desirable to hold the Society's concerts in the Rink. He moved—"That it is desirable to hold a musical festival during the coming year, ,and that the matter be referred to the incoming Committee." Mr E. W. Skager seconded the motion, which was carried.

On the motion of Mr Appleby and Mr H. Skager, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to all members of the orchestra lor their efficient help at the late concerts of the Society, to Mr Skelton as leader, and to Mr Normington as conductor.

On the motion of Mr Kiko, votes of thanks were passed to the retiring officers.

A similar compliment to the Chairman closed the meeting.