MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRAS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 27, 1 August 1911, Page 3

MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRAS.

AtTCKI/ANC WANTS ONE. [»* oatiaiUMt— social kTm* tost.] AUCKLAND, This Day. Soon after Mr. C. J. Parr becameMayor of Auckland a deputation waited upon him, r headed by Mr. W. H. Webbe, and submitted a proposal that a mtmi^ cipal orchestra should be formed, as soon as the Town, Hall is opened to supple* tnenb the fine organ presented by Mr. Henry Brett. Mr. Parr replied that it would be first necessary to look at the matter from a proper business basis, and with that end in view he woidd commtinicate with the Mayor of Wellington to ascertain the experience of that city With the municipal orchestra in existence there. Mr, Parr has now received a, reply from the Town Clerk. Wellington, to the enquiries he had made. This states that the arrangement at Wellington is i thafc the municipal .orchestra shall give I [ twelve recitals per annum. At the 'time | of writing eight concerts had .been given vi 'accordance with the arrangement entered into. The orchestra consists of forty-six professional and amateur musicians, under the directorship of the City Organist. The average attendance at the eight concerts was 700, and the charge for admission sixpence and one shilling. The letter states that the majority of the tickets .were, however, for the lowerpriced seats.' The expenditure on the eight concerts was £209, of which £182 was paid as fees to the professional mem. bers of the orchestra. The receipts fof the eight oonvierts totalled £205, which left a deficit of £53. There will not be any loss to the council, as Seventy citizens guaranteed £400 to cover any deficit upon the concerts given during the year. "Under these circumstances, gays Mr. Parr, "it seems to me this question will require very careful consideration before I can see m* *ay to advise the council to embark upon such a venture as a municipal orchestra."