ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 18254, 19 April 1923, Page 10

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

THE ANNUAL MEETING,

NOT ADEQUATELY SUPPORTED

Mr G. Mondy presided last evening at tho annual meeting of the Dunedin Orchestral Society.

The animal report showed that there was a credit balance of £llO, that the receipts for the year amounted to £260 and the expenditure to £233, leaving £->o to the good. The income from rents was £lll and the expenditure was £l3O, a loss of £l9; the loss the previous year being £59. The net result of the year’s operations was a credit of £l3. The number ot subscribers had decreased during the yeai, and members were urged to endeavoi to swell the list, by getting fresh subscribers. The amusement lax had cost the society £2l. The committee thanked Mr James Coombs, the conductor, for his untiling efforts on behalf of the society, and also Mr Borrow, the librarian, and Mr Ihompson, the auditor, for their services. Members were specially requested to attend practice regularly. The Chairman moved the adoption of the report, and made a comparison of the finances of the society for this year with those of past years, showing that the result was a falling off when it came to an ultimate balance. He pointed out that the work of the society must be based upon the subscriptions coming in. That, was the life blood of the society. Referring to the amusement tax, ho mentioned that from the utterances of the Prime Minister there was every probability of that being remitted. Ho thought the Prime Ministei would keep his promise, and that they could rely upon the amusement tax not being enforced, which was very encouraging. 'Mr Fothergill commented on the fact that the- society was now in its thirtyninth year. It was discreditable to the citizens of Dunedin Dial they did not support the society better. He commented on an item of £2O, arrears of subscriptions, which, lie said, were owing by some of our leading citizens, whose names were known to the o society, hut, it might become necessary to publish them. He pointed out that there were fifty-live playing members of the society, and‘asked them to getting new members. Of those fifty-live performing members only seventeen wore, subscribing members, and he did not think that was altogether fair. The Chairman said that performing members were entitled to some consideration, notwithstanding the excellent tuition they got. The society should look to the public for support. The motion adopting the report was carried.

It was decided that the conductor s honorarium should be £SO for the year, it being stressed that the sum was recognised as quite inadequate for the services performed by Mr Coombs. Mr Williamson stated that in the matter of attendance at rehearsal Mr Coombs had established a record.

The following office-bearers were appointed President, Mr C. Moncly ; vice-president-s —Dr Barnett, Messrs . Dawson, C. W. Rattray, .1. A. Fothergill, S. Turnbull, and J. S. Faulkner; bon. treasurer, Mr A. A. Fine!) ; hon. auditor, Mr T. H. Thompson; committee—Messrs T. P. Williamson. E. Kerr, T. S. Mitchell, il. M'Donakl. and H. F. Davie; hon. conductor, Mr -I. Coombs; hnn. librarian, Mr W. Laing; and lion, secretary, Mr H. it. Sykes.