CHORAL UNION

Evening Post, Issue 56, 7 March 1934, Page 5

CHORAL UNION

SUCCESSFUL YEAR ■ : ■ • — "^ POSITION OF CONDUCTOR The' annual meeting of the Eoyal Wellington .Choral 'Union was held in St. Johns-Schoolroom last evening. Mr. W. J. Charte's,'chairman of the jommittee, presided. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet,' synopsis of which has been published'in "The Post," the chairman drew attention to the fact that the statement of accounts showed a balance of assets over liabilities of £1301 5s 9d. He paid a warm tribute to the work' done by the honorary secretary, M. W. E. Caldow, who nest June' would complete twenty-five years of service as secretary. Mr. Charters referred to the effect : of broadcasting and of {pictures on ■ choral music. He said, he was pleased, however, to say that the Royal Wellington Choral Union had not suffered; in that respect to the same extent as choral unions in some other countries. -The union had endeavoured to arrange, for variety in the society's concerts to counteract the adverse 'influences he had alluded to. The committee had taken Initial steps to secure, the services of a conductor to take the place,of Mr. John Bishop, said: Mr. .Charters. -Advertisements would be published in musical journals in England inviting applications for the vacant.conductorship; similar advertisements would also be inserted in Australian and New Zealand journals. In the meantime, it had beendecided to appoint a chorus-master; and the society was fortunate in. haying secured the services of Mr. Harry Brusey to act in that capacity.- The ability of Mr. Brusey was weirkhown to all the members: of the union. . ', The motion'for the adoption of the report: and'balanoe;sheet was carried. . .ELECTION OF OFFICERS. " Th o election of officers resulted as follows:—Patron,1 his Excellency the Governor-General;-vice-patron, the Kt. Hon; G. W. Forbes, Prime Minister; president ; Dr. D. Macdpnald Wilson; vice-presidents, his Grace Archbishop Redwood, the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, Bishop Spr'ott, and Mr. Robert Parker, C.M.G.; honorary organist, Mr. Lawrence W. Haggitt;.honorary accompanist, Miss Dorothy. Mills;: honorary membership steward, Mr. H. E. Moston; honorary secretary,- Mr. W. E. Caldow; honorary solicitor, Mr. E. P. Hay; honorary librarian, Mr. J. ■E. Perry; honorary treasurer; M. : W.; O. Bock; honorary /auditor, Mr. C. D. Morpeth; committee, Messrs; "W.J. Chartres, B. H. Shearer, T. L. Cox,: A. J. Baker, E.. M. Parikhnrst. ■.:"■.-' The chairman 'announced that the first work ; in the new season would be Verdi's opera; "11, .Trovatore," which the union had.not performed for twelve years. ;•.

The driest spot in the "world is a desert of 300,000 square-miles-in; Chinese Turkestan. It. is so ' devoid- of Iboth atmosphere and subterranean moisture that no hunian being, bird^ beast, -or plant can subsist; within its.boundaries.-