ROYAL CHRISTCHURCH MUSICAL SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17058, 1 February 1921, Page 2

ROYAL CHRISTCHURCH MUSICAL SOCIETY.

annual meeting. The annual meeting of. tho Royal- Christchurch Musical Society was held in f the Art Gallery last night, and was well attended. Mr H. Antill Adley presided. The annual report stated that the 1920 season had been one of .the most successful in the Society's existence; it might be described as being a right "Royal" year, and a fitting l celebration of the 60th year of the a life. The Royal favour had been conferred ■by ihis Majesty the King in recognition of the Socioty's diamond jubilee. Eight perwere given by the auiiD-l? the year, and, in addition, a, concert waa arranged in Christmas week for the patients at the Rhodes Convalescent Home. The star event waa the performance of "Elijah," in which, in addition to mombers of tne Society,, Miss 'Amy Evans and Mr traser Gang© took part. Thanks were recorded to the gentlemen whose generous contributions enabled the Society to engage Mies I-vans and Mr Gauge. Praise waa also due to members of the chorus who had unanimously given back one of their tickets to assist in financing the "Elijah" oonccrts. A fittm 0 climax of the year's work was tho open-air performance of the "Messiah" given on December 20th for the benefit of the patisnta and staff of the Christcliurch Hospital. Ihe Christmas tree in the children's ward was large.y furnished bv the gifts brought by the patrons of the Society's Sunday concert; in addition to the gifts, £340 was sollected in cash, lne Professional Musicians' Orchestra, had promisedt to -assist by giving a concert to augment the f finds in hand, the object being t® Wnd over to the hospital £IOOO (provided the Society obtains tho Government subsidy). The membership of the Society had increased 6) per cent., and towards tho end of the season quite a number of applications had to "he refused. The chorus *had been brought up to balance; and tlhe orchestra had been increased, No small measure of the success was due to the conductor, Dr. oradshaw, who. by his painstaking work, had brought the Society's performances up to an exceedingly high state of perfection. The committ;e had entered into an ■agreement with Mr FTaser Gange for Mies Amy Evans and Mr Gauge and two other artists (probably Mr Herbert Gljrnn and Miss Margaret Balfour) to come out as principal soloists for the 1922 festival. This musical festival, the committee believed, would be tho greatest event eo far in the Society's history; the necessary work in buildiiig up the strength of performers would bo one of the first duties of the incoming committee. The need of a suitable hall, in present circumstances, was a very serious handicap to the Society's prosperity; when concerts had to bo repeated it meant additional expense and large payments to soloists for double performances. The committee were pressing the City Council for a temporary hall, on the Alexandra Hall site, capable of seating 2000 people. • The balance-sheet phowed a. balance to credit of £llO lGs 3d, including the credit balance of £39 8e 3d brought forward from the previous year. The balance of assets over liabilities was £482 4s fid.

The chairman, in moving - tho adoption of the report and balance-sheet, stated that tho membership at present totalled 547 —performing' 152, new members ekcted during the year 142, old members 253. Tie report and balanc£«heet were adopted. The election of officer© resulted as follows; —President, Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M.; vic®»

presidents, Mr/i Wilfion, Madame Gowel* Burns, Biaivop Julius, Bishop Brodiet, Meeati J. iA. Pro-stick, b. Bomrinpton, "W. Recce, J#' Ballantyne, H. Autill Adley, W. Izard, it. S. Brown, H. H. Laughnan, E. D. Johaaon, Rev. C. E. Crosse, Profcsaor J. Shelley, . Hofc G. W. Russell, Dr. J. C. Pairman, aJB3 Dr. John Guthrie; committee, Madainij .GofrW| Burns, " Z&a Whitelaw, Miss Shirtoliffe, Messrs ju. ihnifrhfiG~j.T. 0. T. McMsuiaway, W. MSclun, Roberts, R. B. Owen, P. H. Yeiutbles, H. Antill AdJey; hon. tr<Sa®urer, Mr' W. H. Jenkins";' Reference waa made to the excellent work don© by the secretary, Mr H. B. Owen, and ic was stated that it wo» proposed". t<J «pv point a. paid secretary to do tihe puieW mot* tarial work. Other dutiee provwttajr charged by tho eeoretaTy would be disiJiwgef, by certain members of the committee. _" f Dr. Bradaho/w, who was received with trnaj singing of "He' 6 a Jolly Good F©llow«<pwß 'briefly on the past work of the Society, aaw referred to the exacting character of £M work before them in 1922. Afterward a ehorr concert programme *U given, Mr Frank Hitchens contributing piww forte selections, Mid recitations being givm iby the Rev. Clyde Carr.. Light rofreahmemW were provided.