CHORAL UNION

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 134, 2 March 1922, Page 9

CHORAL UNION

ANNUAL MEETING HELD. The annual meeting of the Royal Wellington Choral Union was held on Tuesday, there being an attendance of about 150 members. Mr. A. L. Wilson (president) occupied the chair. Tho chairman said that ho had urged the erection of a choral hall, and though the matter had been delayed owing to the financial stringency it must come. The society -was strong enough to be able to accomplish that, and «ne hoped! some steps would be taken before long. Referring to the working of the committee, he said that he had never had such experience of enthusiasm, good attendance, and l capable work as they had shown. He moved the adoption of the; report and balance-sheet. The motion was seconded by Mr. C. P. McKenzie, who spoke in appreciative terms of the work of the committee.

Mr. Lankshear congratulated the society on the committee work, (the character and quality of the works performed, and tho attainment of a ‘‘Royal” distinction. The (secretary explained that the financial result of the visit to Hawke’s Bay was satisfactory. The takings were £5OO, and the whole of the balance (£27) was paid to the Hastings Society, instead of half, as arranged, the acknowledgment of the latter stating that the generosity of the Wellington visitors had brought about the happy result of putting them in a sound financial position. The music had cost £9OO, hut had been written down to £5OO, although at current prices it would cost £1300., In reply to a question, the chair-j man stated that the committee had reluctantly abandoned the idea of a musical festival owing to the financial stringency. Mr. Webb said that the society was in good heart, and the members were very enthusiastic, but the committee felt that a musical festival would be too great a strain on them financially. Certainly a musical festival was overdue in Wellington—it was twenty years since one was held hero. When a suitable time arrived, the committee would not be backward in taking the work in hand. He congratulated the society on the spirit of reciprocity existing with other societies in different localities.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patrons, His Excellency the Governor-General, Admiral of the Fleet, Viscount Jellicoe, and the Right Hon. W. F. Massey, P.C., Prime Minister; president, Mr. A. L. Wilson; vice-presidents, Archbishop Redwood, Bishop Sprott, Rev. Dr. Gibb, ana Mr. G. Shirtcliffe; conductor, Mr. H. Temple White; hon. acoompaniste, Miss Dorothy Mills; committee, Messrs. C. Webb (chairman), R. E. Herron, A. G. Cathie, W. J. Chartres and J. R. Samson; hon. librarian, Mr. J. B. Perry; membership steward, Mr. W. H. Long; hon. treasurer, Mr. W. H. Chittey; hon. assistant librarian, ‘Mr. S. G. Hamerton; hon. auditor, Mr. C. D. Morpeth. F.0.P.A.; hon. solicitor, Mr. E. P. Hay; hon. assistant librarian, Mr. E. A. Tanner; hon. secretary, Mr. W. E. Caldow.