ROYAL CHORAL UNION

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 131, 27 February 1929, Page 3

ROYAL CHORAL UNION

ANNUAL MEETING

There was an attendance of about 140 members at the annual meeting of the Royal Wellington Choral Union last night. Mr. R. E. Herron was in the chair. It was stated that subscribers numbered 380. Performing members added to the chorus during the year numbered 70, and the roll number was 208, an increase over the previous year. The work of the orchestra had been very satisfactory. The report and the balance-sheet, which showed a surplus of assets over liabilities of £1612 7s. od., were adopted. The chairman said the year had been difficult from the financial point of view, but the society was to be congratulated on a very successful year. The standard of the orchestral work of the society had been greatly improved, and they could face the future with confidence that it would take a more definite part in the society’s work. It was very difficult to sense public feeling when arranging the society’s programme of work, but every effort was made to give general satisfaction, not only to the public, but also to members. The following officers were elected:— Patrons. His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral (Sir Charles Fergusson) and the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward); president, Mr. A. L. Wilson; vice-presidents, Archbishop Redwood, Bishop Sprott, Mr. G. A. Troup, and Mr. Robert Parker; conductor, Mr. John Bishop; honorary accompaniste, Miss Dorothy Mills; committee, Messrs. R. E. Herron (chairman), W. J. Charters. C. E. Webb. R. H. Shearer, and E. M. Pankhurst; lion, secretary. Mr. W. E. Caldow: hon. treasurer, Mr. W. O. Brock; bon. assistant secretary. Mr. E. A. Tanner; hon. librarian. Mr. J. E. Perry; membership steward. Mr. A. T. Bailey; hon. auditor, Mr. C. D. Morpeth; hon. solicitor, Mr. E. P. Hay; hon. assistant librarian, Mr. S. J. Anderson. A number of alterations to the rules of the union were made, and a new rule was adopted providing that in the event of the position of conductor becoming vacant the committee should have power to make arrangements for carrying on the work of the union for the unexpired term. A proposal that a permanent chairman of the committee should be appointed was defeated. xt . The proposal to increase the subscription of members by five shillings caused considerable discussion. The chairman said members would still be getting far more than their money s worth and there would be a substantial increase In the revenue. Mr. Young said he did not think the work of the union should be regarded solelv from the financial point of-view. Manv members who got a great deal ot enjoyment out of tlielr work in the union lived a long way out, and it cost them a good deal In travelling. It was absolutely wrong to try and bolster up the finances of the union at the expense of enthusiastic performing members. Mr. J. Duncan moved as an amendment that the matter be deferred until the next annual meeting. He thought the axe should ho put into the union s expenditure, especially in connection with the orchestra. The amendment was carried. A proposal that the music to be performed at any time shall be determined bv the committee, hut before reaching any decision they shall obtain and hive due consideration to the recommendation of the conductor, was adopted.