THE COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 121, 7 February 1923, Page 5

THE COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING The annua) meeting of the AAellinglon Competitions Society (Incorporated) was held last night, the retiring president, Air. I<\ G. Cray, presiding. The fifth annual report of the president stated that marked advance had boen noticeable in the work. Growing public assistance and interest, the active interest of teachers in Wellington and other centres, and the increase in the number of competitors, had con clusively proved that the work of the society was of an educative nature in ail subjects selected for competitions, and it was hoped to still further extend the usefulness of the society. Hie numbers of competitors were: 1919, 1534; 1919, 1835; 1920, 1816;. 19212248; 1922, 2342. Although Highland dancing was delettcd (involving 200 entries in 1921), last year’s figures showed a substantial increase. Accumulated funds totalled £1246, from the revenue of which invested sum it was proposed to continue —and, if possible, extend—the system of scholarships. The growth of kindred societies elsewhere was welcomed. formation of a society in New I'D’ - mouth and the resuscitation of the Auckland Society were in progress, and Wanganui had a firmly established society. The promotion of singing and of the teaching professions in the musical arts was. largely due to the competition societies. “Members will no doubt remember with regret,” states the report, “that nt the last sessions of the society soma confusion arose in connection with the championship points, and I desire, therefore, to state'that not only was the mistake rectified to the satisfaction of all concerned, but the executive council have now instituted a system of record and check, which will. elude the possibility of any similar error being made in the future, and whereby the points secured by all competitors in the championships sections will bo tabulated, and displayed from day to day for tho general information of the competitors and public.”

The report was adopted. Tlie .treasurer, Mr. AV. E. luller, said the balance-sheet showed a profit, and announced that the total invested funds of the society were now £1246. , Specially grateful reference was made to the generous donations and subscriptions made by the public, which had enabled the amassing of a reserve fund, as the revenue from the contests little more than balanced the expenditure. The president remarked that the interest would provide six scholarships a year, a position the society had not anticipated so soon. He spoke of the unsuccessful attempt to secure federation of all similar societies in tho Dominion, probably because the time was not ripe, but gave instances of the benefits of such co-operation m England. During recent visits y» other centres he had been able to dispel much of the suspicion of a dtVire to centralise control, and to point out the benefits of affiliation. The president announced that —perhaps as the result of the presence o l tho Right Hon, AV. F. Massey at tlm last competitions, and his realisation of the extent of operations and the large public patronage, mid of the hardship inflicted on a truly educational institution by the amusement tax —they would be fflad to learn that in future all competitions soc:etie° would be exempt from the amusement tax. , The election of officers * resulted Patron, His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, A’iscount Jellicoe; vice-pat-ron. His AA’orshijj, the then Mayor of Wellington; president, Mr. E. Palliser; vice-president,. Mr. C. M. Bowden; treasurer. Mr. AV. E. Fuller; ecretary, Mr. G. AV. Jenner. The executive council selected was as follows: —Messrs. 0. H. Barratt. C. M. Bowden. AV. Fielding. B. P Gully. AV. E. Howe, J. N. Baker, G AV. Jenner, L. R. Partridge, C 1* Smith, and H. C. Tonks. Mrs. Maynard suggested that the class, singing for girls from 12 to 16, which last year drew 40 entries, was of too comprehensive a nature. Girls of 12 suffered .in comparison with th? more matured voices of the 16-year-old competitors. The class was large enough to divide without, robbing it of the element of competition. The president said that tms matter would be considered at the next meeting of the Programme Connnittee. A vote of thanks was passed to the secretary, Mr. G. AV. Jenner, for his valued and energetic services, and the treasurer, Mr. AV. E. Fuller, was likewise eulogised.