THE LIEDERTAFEL.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20905, 12 July 1933, Page 3

THE LIEDERTAFEL.

ANNUAL MEETING. A YEAR OF SUCCESS. The annual meeting of the Christchurch Liedertafel was held last evening, Mr Albert Freeman presiding. The forty-eighth annual report stated that the committee could record another successful year, the only disquieting factor being a disminishing number of subscribers. All the concerts had been well up to the satisfactory standard of previous years and had been well attended. The society could be congratulated on showing a small credit balance, made possible only by rigid economy. The society's thanks had been conveyed to the following guest performers:—Mrs K. W. Robinson, Mrs Francis Bate, Mrs Percy Elworthy, and Messrs Francis Bate, Arthur Gordon, Hamilton Dickson, and Allan Wellbrock. To the last-named brilliant young performer, the society extended its best wishes for a successful career at the Royal College of Music. In addition, the society owed a debt, of gratitude to Mr R. A. Home for his gift of copies of "Bonnie Mary of Argyle," to Mr A. L. Cropp for the Peers' chorus from "lolanthe," and to Mr Albert Freeman (president) for a gift to the music fund. The innovation of a chorus from light opera was most successful. Mr Cropp was following up the arrangement by presenting one chorus from "The Pirates of Penzance," and one from "Pinafore" for the ensuing season. The committee thanked the conductor, Mr Alfred Worsley, for his excellent efforts during the year, Dr. T. L. Crooke for his keen interest in his work as accompanist, Mr R. E. Lake for his willingness whenever called upon, and the members for their loyal support and regular attendance. Election of Officers. The election of officers was as follows: —President, Mr Albert Freeman; vice-presidents, Messrs A. L. Cropp, C. D. Morris, and Dr. P. Stanley Foster; conductor, Mr Alfred Worsley; honorary deputy conductor, Mr R. E. Lake; honorary accompanist, Dr. T. L. Crooke; trustees, Mr A. Freeman and Dr. Crooke; honorary auditor, Mr J. S. Bowie; honorary secretary and treasurer and librarian, Mr W. G. Cookson; committee, Messrs H. T. Stubberfield, R. A. Beveridge, W. G. Tonks, P. Hockley, and R. E. Lake A Sapper Gathering. At the conclusion of the business meeting, the members of the choir gathered at supper. The toast of "The Liedertafel" was proposed by Mr P. Hockley. Dr. P. Stanley Foster, proposing the toast of the president, referred to the lifemembership conferred by the society on Mr Albert Freeman. There was a great bond of friendship in music, and it was worth much more than the bonds formed in business, he said. In reply, Mr Freeman said that he desired to acknowledge the loyalty always accorded to the official head of the society. The fiftieth year was coming near and the traditions of the founders were being well carried out The society must go on, building up those traditions, and so long as he was at the head he would do his best for the furtherance of the interests of the society and of its members. The toast of the subscribers was proposed by the president and responded to by Mr J. S. Bowie; the conductor, by Mr George March, response by Mr Alfred Worsley; the secretary, by Mr R. A. Beveridge, response by Mr W. G. Cookson; and the press by Mr L. Fleming. Items were given by Messrs R. A. Beveridge, R. Vincent, W. G. Cookson, P. Hockley, J. Mason, A. L. Cropp, and Dr. E. Robinson Hall.