Council Support For Orchestra Sought

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31773, 2 September 1968, Page 12

Council Support For Orchestra Sought

After the local body elections next month the Christchurch Civic Orchestra Foundation would ask the new City Council for financial assistance to maintain and develop the orchestra, the foundation's chairman (Mr G. R. Lascelles) said yesterday.

To provide evidence of the widely-recognised enthusiasm in support of the orchestra, the foundation proposed to circulate a petition throughout Christchurch for signature by the many citizens who obviously favoured the project, he said. “A symphony orchestra is the mark of an enlightened city,” Mr Lascelles said. “Music has increasingly become a community interest and the foundations for its proper development must be established now. The imminence of the town hall makes the effort particularly opportune.

“A symphony orchestra is as important to Christchurch as the museum, the library or the art gallery. All have their special functions and stimulate community spirit. “There comes a time in the life of all cities when welldirected effort may quickly win great rewards. Such is the case here. Our immediate objective is to build in Christchurch the leading orchestra of New Zealand and, given financial support, this is what we shall do. “The continued service of an orchestra of size should not depend upon changing and sporadic support. Its financial position should be

secured and certain. In this way talent is developed and the musical life of the city inspired."

C.0.R.5.0. AID

A “Trail Tally” competition designed to inform the public of the large-scale development being undertaken by C.0.R.5.0. to help poorer countries to support themselves, is being organised by C.0.R.5.0. with the help of 1100 chemist shops throughout New Zealand which are promoting the competition. The competition will also endeavour to develop understanding of the necessity for international aid and its importance to New Zealand, strategically and economically as well as in the humanitarian aspects. The national secretary of C.0.R.5.0. (the Rev. H. C. Dixon) said that self help development projects had grown to the point where 75 per cent of grants were for this type of work and 25 per cent were for relief. Entrants in the Trail Tally competition must estimate the amount raised on the C.O.R.|S:O. cent-an-inch Hunger Trail between North Cape and the Bluff. So far $470,000 of the $823,680 target for the year has been raised.

The first prize will be a Polynesian cruise and other prizes will include cameras and cosmetics. Free entry forms may be obtained at any chemist’s shop until October 8.