LADIES’ AUXILIARY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21744, 28 March 1936, Page 3

LADIES’ AUXILIARY

CHRISTCHURCH HARMONIC SOCIETY Mrs G, J. Smith presided at the annual meeting of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Christchurch Harmonic Society held yesterday afternoon in the Automobile Association’s Club rooms, Worcester street. Annual Report The annual report read by Mrs Kenneth Archer (secretary) stated that the second year’s activities of the auxiliary, had been very successful. The aim of the auxiliary—the fostering of public interest in good music and particularly in the work of the Harmonic Societyhad been constantly in the minds of the committee and it had been felt that good work had been accomplished. The 17 meetings held during the year had been well attended. At the first meeting of the committee, Mrs H. L. Widdowson had been elected treasurer, and Mrs N. W. Robbins had been elected to fill a vacancy on the committee. ~ , From its inception until about a month ago the auxiliary had had the benefit of the leadership of Mrs W. J. Hunter. To Mrs Hunter’s initiative and tireless enthusiasm had been due a great deal of the, success which had attended the various enterprises of the auxiliary. It had, therefore, been with mutual regret that her association with the auxiliary had been terminated by her departure from New Zealand. The committee had, with the committee of -the Harmonic Society, entertained Mrs Hunter at a farewell morning tea party and had presented tp her a bronze statuette. Mrs G. J. Smith had been unanimously elected president. Social activities had included a bridge party held at Heath’s tea-rooms in July, about 600 guests being entertained; a reception to the composer, Mr Percy Grainger, and his wife, a reception to the boys of the Viennese choir and their party, and a garden fete held in November at the home of Mr Justice Adams. Wairarapa terrace. The auxiliary had affiliated with the National Council of Women, and Mrs W. J. Hunter had been appointed delegate to the council. The committee also arranged for a considerable amount of work to be done in support of the Mayoress’s committee for the relief of distress among women and children. More than £5 worth of material had been cut out and made into children’s garments by committee members, members of the choir, and friends. A great deal of work had been done by the ladies of the Guild of St. Hugh, orgapised by Mrs James Carter. The finances of the auxiliary had been maintained in a satisfactory condition and members had been pleased to be able to give £3O to the music fund of the Harmonic Society and £6O to its general fund. The happiest relations had been maintained with the committee of the parent society. Mr V. C. Peters, the society’s conductor, had shown his continued interest in the auxiliary’s work and had made many valuable suggestions besides placing his studio at the disposal of members for . meetings. The auxiliary expressed gratitude to Mrs W. J. Hunter, Mrs C. Niven Forrest. Mrs J. Ballantyne, Lady Ward, and Dr, E. D. Pullon for donations, to Mr Justice Adams for the use of his grounds, to Messrs Charles Begg and Company, and Mr L. Travers, their manager, for numerous acts of courtesy, to Mr L. H. Fee (auditor), to the ladies of the Guild of St. Hugh, and to the press. The importance was emphasised of the need for assistance in making available for presentation in New Zealand the new musical works which are being heard overseas, and which would never be heard here unless the local societies had the financial and . moral support of the community at large. The committee hoped this year to continue to direct its efforts to the achieve-, ment of this end.

The report and the balance-sheet, presented by Mrs Widdowson, were adopted. Election of Officers , Mrs G. J, Smith was unanimously re-elected president, and other officers appointed were:—Vice-presidents, Lady Acland, Mesdames C. L. Peters, C. Niven Forrest, E. D. Pullon, William Ballantyne, Claude Sawtell; secretary, Mrs K. G. Archer; treasurer, Mrs H. L. Widdowson; committee, Mesdames W. M. Cotter, M. E. Lyons. R. E. Voller, N. W. Robbins. E. D. Pullon, C. G. Burgess, Harold Biggs, Misses Doris Webb and Jane Donnelly; auditor, Mr L. H. Fee. President’s Address In a short address, Mrs G. J. Smith paid a tribute to the former president (Mrs W. J. Hunter),- whose energy and enthusiasm had furthered the work of the auxiliary. The work done by the auxiliary had assisted the Harmonic Society to purchase new works now being played overseas, not new copies of old works. The choir could, under the efficient conductorship of Mr V. C. Peters, by its performances, give great pleasure and satisfaction to everyone. “The choir compares more than favourably with any other organisation of its kind I have ever heard at Home,” said Mrs Smith. She added that the importance of music in life was being realised more and more. She asked that the work for the auxiliary should continue in the same willing and hearty way as it had done during the last two years. Mr Kenneth Archer, secretary of the Harmonic Society, on behalf of the so* ciety, welcomed Mrs Smith as president. and paid a tribute to the work of the former president. The society was producing something of value from the cultural and aesthetic point ol view. He announced that Miss Russell Ferguson, for whom the auxiliary had arranged a reception, would be the soloist at the society’s next concert. Mr F. H. Christian, chairman of. the society, also spoke of the forthcoming concerts. Musical Programme At the conclusion of the business session, pianoforte solos were played by Miss Bessie Pollard; Miss Lilian Hanham sang songs, and the Misses D. and E, Beck, and Mr Major Lummis (instrumental trio) also gave pleasure by their playing. Afternoon tea was served by the committee.