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Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 123, 20 November 1929, Page 9

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COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

THE YEAR REVIEWED

The annual meeting of the Wellington Competitions Society was held in the Chamber of Commerce Room last night. The president (Mr. H. Hatch) was in thechair, and there was a good attendance of members.

The executive council, in its annual -, report, expressed regret that, con» '- trary to anticipations, the 1929 festi- . val had resulted in a loss 01 some £53, although from an educative and artistic / point of view it was well up to the standard and an unqualified success. Though, twenty-two clases had been deleted from ' the syllabus, the entries exceeded those of the previous year by twenty, the total received being 2870. The public patronised the day sessions well, but the night - concerts were not satisfactorily patronised. The loss had been met by an overdraft. The main items of expenditure were Town Hall rent, £261 4s; judges' fees, £215 ss; advertising, £256. The first two - items were considerably reduced from, the previous year, owing to reducing the length of the festival to thirteen days and engaging New Zealand judges. The advertising expenses were a little in excess of last year's, but it was felt that perhaps a little more publicity would bring greater attendances.

This year the executive council reinstated the choir contests; but; the results were disappointing, as only three choir« competed. The business firms' choir contest was introduced again, but there were no entries, and the executive could only express great disappointment at the choral section receiving so little support from the section o£ the community which could help the cause of music in this direction. The executive again stressed the necessity for increasing the membership. The executive aimed at a thousand members, and it that could be achieved the financial burdens of the executive would be relieved.

The executive council thanked all the teachers who had supported the society in the past by entering their pupils in the ; various classes, and expressed a hope that it would have their continued support. Any suggestions from teachers and interested supporters would be welcomed and would receive consideration. EDUCATIONAL VALUE. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, the president said that, in 6pite oi its deficit on the year's -work, the society had achieved greatly, and was "to be congratulated' on having provided the public with not-, able performers in all classes of music, elocution, and .dancing. It had been suggested by some that the society should close down; but he felt that it was doing such good educational work amongst the rising generation that it would be a great mistake to close down so long as it could carry on on its present funds. He felt sure that it would not be long before the Government would recognise that the competitions festival was an educational necessity and would subsidise it "as such. (Applause.)

Councillor H. A. Huggins seconded, say- = ing that he held, that the society was tobe congratulated upon having done such, good work during the past year under very adverse conditions. He believed that savings and improvements could be made :. that in years to come would transform their deficit into a substantial surplus. (Applause.) He suggested that no little ; saving could be effected by holding the night concerts in the Concert Chamber instead of in the Big Town Hall. Speaking as a foundation member of the society, Mr. W. P. MaeLachlan said that the standard o£ the competitions to-day in music, singing, elocution, and dancing was not only 100 per cent, but 500 per , cent, better than that of the first two festivals the society had held. In his opinion the standard now was practically up to the professional standard. Some members seemed very depressed about the state of the society's finances; but he pointed out that 40 more members only would have put them on the right side of the balance-sheet. To get 40 more members should not be an impossible task;-and if each member would only set out to get three more members, the society would soon be in a flourishing condition. (Applause.) ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE. The election of ten members of the executive resulted as follows:—Messrs. Byron Brown, J. W. Carr, F. G. Cray, W. E. Puller, H. Miller, H. Hatch, W. P. MacLachlan, H. A. Huggins, D. Edwards, and W. J. Mason. The other members of the executive ay» Messrs. V. Evans, B. Ginger, B. P. Gully, \V. E. Howe, W. J. Mountjoy, L. R. Partridge, C. E. Proctor, and H. C. Tonks. • ' A hearty vote of thanks was accorded. Mr C. Bary (retired from the executive on account of ill-health) for his many years' service to the society. On the motion of Mr. Hatch, seconded by Mr. Cray, Mr. MacLachlan was elected president for the ensuing year. Air Hatch was presented with the gold badge of the society in recognition or his services during the past year. :. Mr. T. N. Baker was elected vice-presi-dent, and Mr. W. E. Fuller was elected A Shear'ty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. G. W. Jenner (secretary) tor nis valuable services.