CHRISTCHURCH LEIDERTAFEL SOCIETY.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7382, 7 August 1889, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH LEIDERTAFEL SOCIETY.

The fourth annual general meeting of the Christchurch Liedertafel was held on July 17th, at Hobbs' Buildings. The chair was occupied by Mr W. G. Rhind, the President of the Society, and there was a good attendance of members. The annual report and balance-sheet was read by the Honorary Secretary, Mr Barnett. The report was as follows:—"Your Committee, in placing before you the fourth annual report of the Christchurch Liedertafel, are glad to feel that it may be considered as of a satisfactory nature. Financially it will be seen that the Society is sound, the year closing with a credit balance on general account of £12 14s 5d ; whilst the library, consisting of a most useful collection of music, has an actual value of over £50, and the fund especially allocated to this purpose stands with cash in hand £10 9s 2d. Iv the past year the Society has suffered a severe loss in the fact of Mr Towsey's removal from Christ)church, and consequent resignation ; and your Committee have very great pleasure in here placing on record their sense of the value of his services to the Liedertafel. To him belongs the honor and credit of bringing the raw material into shape, and of producing most successful results therefrom, and the hearty thanks of the Society are here tendered to him. The Liedertafel has, however, been most fortunate in its choice of a successor to Mr Towsey in the person of Mr F. M. Wallace, who has entered into the work with a zest and power which augur well for its future well-being and progress, and enable your Committee to feel entire confidence that no loss will ensue to the Society in consequence of its change of conductor. As in previous years, six concerts have been given, and with somewhat varying success. On the whole, however, your Committee feel that the Society is to be congratulated on the decided improvement shown in the rendering of its specialty, viz., part singing. For the two "Gemischter Abends" a move this year was made to the Tuam street Hall, which has proved to be far more suitable for this purpose than the hall previously used. The increased accommodation afforded has enabled more play to be given to the social element, which enters so largely into the gatherings of the Society, and to which so much of their success is to be attributed. The intense coldness of the weather on the occasion of the last concert interfered greatly with the comfort of both audience and performers, and to some extent militated against its complete success; and your Committee think it would be advisable to alter the dates of these ladies' concer s from summer and winter to springj|_nd autumn. The consideration of this question they recommend to the incoming Committee. The only new cantata performed this last season is " Salamis," by Gernsheim, which was twice produced. The new volumes of part songs, "The Chickering Collection," have been largely drawn on, and prove a mine of wealth. Three more Cantatas have been added to the library, viz., "The Red King," "Longbeard's Saga," and "The Desert," one or more of which it is hoped will be produced during the season now commencing. " The Red King " has been put in rehearsal. Last year your Committee had to make a strong appeal to the members generally on the subject of attendance; they are gratified now to be able to report that this appeal has been well responded to, as a glance at the attendance rolls for the two last years respectively .will show. The collective average has risen from 60 per cent, to 74 per cent., and whereas last year it appeared that only six members had attended two-thirds and over of the practices held, this year twenty-four members, have reached this proportion. It isfttb be hoped that this announcement will have the effect of resulting in increased effort in this direction, as there cau be no question that regular and punctual attendance must be the essence of success in any musical society. Your Committee are informed that an invitation will be received for the Liedertafel to visit Dunedin during the coming Exhibition, and, should such be the case, they hope the members will one and all do their utmost to enable the Society to be represented by a strong and efficient body ; in fact, it is evident that such an invitation could not be accepted without a fairly full proportion of members undertook to go, not less in number certainly than sixteen to eighteen. This matter is left to your consideration. Besides the old Committee, five other members have been put iv nomination, aud, as it appears in some quarters to be wished that new blood from time to time should be represented, two of the old members (determined by lot), viz., Messrs Appleby and Evans, have resigned, and do not propose to stand for election, and your Committee would suggest that a rule such as this should be adopted—That is, two members to retire at the end of each year, such two not to be eligible for re-election on the immediately succeeding Committee. All the. officers have been nominated, for reelection without opposition. The President in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said that the state of the Society was most satisfactory. Notwithstanding the increased expenditure the Society was in a good position. Altogether the Society had improved both musically and financially. The report had dealt very fully with all the matters of the Society, so he need say no more, only to congratulate them. Mr Cakrick seconded the adoption of the balance-sheet and report, which was carried unanimously.

The following officers were elected for the year:—President, Mr W. G. Rhind, re-elected; Conductor, Mr F. M. Wallace, re-elected ; Secretary and Librarian, Mr T. H. Barnett; Committee, Messrs Barkas, Carrick, Harley, Simms. and Meares.

Mr Barkas moved—"That the Liedertafel affirms the principle that it is against its policy to sing at concerts other than those given by itself or directly under its control; but that if any occasion should arise when it might seem desirable for the Liedertafel to help some outside object or cause, the member or members who wish the Society to give such outside help shall give notice iv writing at one practice night that he or they intend to take a vote at the next practice night on the question that the Liedertafel shall help at such outside concert or entertainment, and to carry such motion at least two-thirds of the members present must vote in its favor."

Mr Newman seconded the motion, which was carried, after Messrs "Appleby and-Carrick had spoken in favor of the proposal. Mr Evans said they could not close that meeting without expressing the deep fratitude they felt towards their couuctor, Mr Wallace, who had done much to-

wa-ds making the Soci6ty the success it had beeti during the past year. He moved— " That this meeting desires to record its cordial appreciation of the services of Mr F. M. Wallace as conductor during the past year." ~ ~ . Mr Kinsey seconded the motion, which was carried amid acclamation. Mr Wallace briefly thanked the members for their kindness in passing such a vote as the one just carried. Mr Barkas moved a hearty vote of thanks to the President, Secretary, and Committee of the past year. Mr Mannkking seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The meeting then terminated.