MARKED ADVANCE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 141, 12 December 1923, Page 12

MARKED ADVANCE

WELLINGTON COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

SUCCESSFUL YEAR'S ACTIVITIES.

The annual meeting of the Wellington Competitions Society was held last evening, Mr. E. Palliser presiding.

Reviewing the operations of the society during the past six years, the chairman said that interested observers could not but note the marked advance in the society's wor'K. The past year had seen many developments, the most important of which was the decision of the executive to appoint separate judges for the vocal and instrumental classes. The executive had long recognised the desirability of moving in that direction, but the question of finance had been an important factor. However, the decision proved a, very happy, one, and he sincerely ' trusted that the incoming committee would' not depart from the important development in connection with the policy of the society. ' ' Turning to the financial side of the society, members had every reason to be gratified. Last year the accumulated funds stood at £1200, which, with the net profit of this year's festival, brought the total up to £1600. These accumulated funds had been invested in sound securities, and the increase ■in revenue due to the success of the year's festival would enable the executive to still further extend the system of scholarships, which had now become such an important feature of the policy of the society. This year no less than seven scholarships were, provided, two of which were donated by local firms keenly interested in the welfare of the society. During the past year the society had linked up with the British Federation of Musical Festivals, and yet another attempt was made to form a Dominion Federation. While the latter had notyet materialised, yet the executive felt that the time was not far distant when the Dominion Federation would be an accomplished fact, and that mXich good would result.

In connection with this year's festival, the executive instituted a system of check and control of records of the championship and aggregate classes. These were compiled from day to day by a statistical committee and exhibited in the main vestibule of the Town Hall. This innovation proved very acceptable to competitors and the public, and, above all, it precluded the possibility of mistakes.

The executive also reverted ■ to the system of awarding championship points, by which only performers of outstanding merit could obtain championship honours, and, further, competitive designs were invited for a standard championship medal. The decision of the executive on ; these matters ■ had been much appreciated. The accepted design ol tliei medal was a very handsome one. and this, together with the more exacting conditions, had placed the championships on a much higher plane. - In concluding, he would like to refer briefly to the ever-increasing popularity of the festivals. . The enthusiasm manifested by the crowds of competitors year after year was surely an unmistakable sign of the vitality of the movement generally. Here they had solid evidence that the instruction and experience which a festival of that nature was able to afford were genuinely sought after by large numbers of votaries of the noblest of arts. He would urge that the .reward of a contest was chiefly in the knowledge gained, and in that sonse every competitor who approached the competitions in that spirit was a prizewinner. The competition was not the end; it was the means to the end, and tne end, of course, was perfection. Fortunately, they had in their midst men who blended competition and education, and who knew that one was essential to the other. That was surely the right oi^look and the right spirit. Xo the donors of special prizes and" trophies they owed their best thanks and they were also indebted to the teachers in their respective professions for the active interest they had shown m the preparation of students for the festivals.

H,6 desired to add his' personal thanks to every member of the executive for the assistance they had given. Although retiring from the executive this year, he would look forward to the time when he might be permitted to again take an active part in the management of the affairs of the society. The balance-sheet showed the society to have a balance of assets over liabilities of £1722. Of this amount £16C0 had been invested in Inscribed Stock, and £105 deposited in the Post Office Savings Bank. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

The election of officers resulted: — patron, His Excellency the Governorgeneral, Viscount Jellicoe; vice-patron tli6_ Mayor of Wellington, Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P.; president, Mr. C. M. iJowden; vice-president, Mr. J W Larr; treasurer, Mr. W. E. Fuller: secretary, Mr. G. W. -Jenner. Ihree past presidents of the society (Messrs. L. R, Partridge, F. G. Cray, and E. Palhser) received gold membership badges of the.society.