COMMUNITY SINGING

Evening Star, Issue 21571, 17 November 1933, Page 12

COMMUNITY SINGING

PAST SEASON’S ACTIVITIES The twenty-two community sings held this season for relief purposes realised the total amount of £244 15s 2d, this being reported at the final meeting of the committee, presided over by Mr H. Ninnis, yesterday afternoon. The committee’s activities are fully reviewed in the following report, which was submitted to the meeting:-—The committee lias every reason to be well satisfied with the results of the season’s activities. The sings had been held this year in the Empire Theatre by the courtesy of Mr S. Pitt, and on every occasion a very large audience had been present. The receipts for the twenty-two sings held, including £l3 9s brought fojward from last year, totalled £338 17s 4d, an increase over 1932 of £174 14s 7d. The expenses for the year to £l4O 2s lid, and the amount handed to the mayor’s unemployment relief fund £l9O. * It was proposed !'• carry forward £8 14s sd. An extra sing for the children’s treat (maj'oress’s fund) had been held under the leadership of Big Brother Bill, assisted by the aunts and uncles from 4YA. The handsome sum of £6O 12s 8d had been received. Expenses amounted to £5 17s 6d, leaving a balance of £54 15s 2d handed to mayoress’s Christmas cheer fund. Thus the total amount handed over for relief purposes had amounted to £244 15s 2d. . Tho increasing popularity of the sings was clearly shown by the fact that in 1931 £74 0s lOd had been the total receipts, 1932 £164 2s 9d. Apart from the actual financial results, the committee had reason to be gratified m the knowledge that the weekly sings had afforded a great deal of pleasure to those taking part. Many letters had been received from listeiiors-iu expressing their gratitude to the committee for the opportunity to enjoy an hour of real happiness, and in many cases substantial donations had accompanied the letters. . . This year one of the listeners-m who wished to remain anonymous had sent in 10s for the hymn ‘ Sands ot lime to bo sung. This had been taken up enthusiastically by the large audience, with the result that it had really created a contest between the three centres Christchurch, Wellington, and Dunedin. To decide on the- winner it had been necessary to sing this particular hymn on three consecutive rridays, and under the leadership of Mr Desmoulin Dunedin had been awarded the premier position. There was no doubu that tho Dunedin audiences did sing the hymn well. This extra effort had brought in over £ls for the fund. The object of the sings was to give pleasure to those attending and those listening-in, the financial aspect being a secondary consideration, as the committee felt it was doing its duty wheu it could give pleasure for the hour. The committee was again indebted to Miss Rita Holmes, whose work at the piano had given the utmost assistance to the various leaders. The thanks ot the committee were especially due to the following, who had conducted weekly singsMr H. P Desmouhn, Major Dampen, Mr W. B. Sinclau, Big Brother Bill (Pastor More), Messrs Knight Barnett and J. F. Himburg. Altogether twenty-three sings were held, of which Mr Desmouhn conducted seven, Major Dampen five, Mr W. B. Sinclair four, Mr J. F. Himburg three, Big Brother Bill three, Mr Knight Barnett one. It would be invidious to mention those who contributed vocal _ and instrumental items, but the committee desired to tender its sincere thanks to all. To the men who regularly assisted in taking up the collection the thanks of the committee were cordially extended. During the season visits had been paid to the sings by the ‘ 1 Modern Grandmother ” (Mrs O’Sullivan), Marlborough Rugby football team, the men from H.M.S. Australia, and three visits from Maori friends from Pukcteraki and tho Kaik, which had added much to the pleasure of the audience. In addition to this Big Brother Bill had conducted a special children’s day during the spring school vacation. This had boon a big success. The Maori children had given their assistance on that occasion. The committee appreciated the valuable assistance given to it,

also to listeuers-in, by 4YA and B stations, numerous letters of appreciation from listeners-in having been received. The committee also desired to acknowledge the assistance rendered by the 1 Otago Daily Times ’ and ‘ Evening Star.’ Their weekly reports of the sings had stimulated an interest throughout the season. The committee wished to thank Mr S. Pitt for the use of the Empire Theatre and Mrs Thompson, who so kindly made slides for the songs. Thanks were also due to the staff at the Empire Theatre for giving their assistance at all times. The committee placed on record its appreciation of the enthusiastic efforts of the secretary (Mr J. Hamburg).

At the conclusion of the business meeting opportunity was taken to present Miss Rita Holmes with a small token in slight recognition of her work during the long session. In making the presentation Mr H. Ninnis paid high tribute to Miss Holmes’s playing, which had so delighted all audiences and radio listeners. Other members of the committee enthusiastically supported Mr Ninnis’s remarks, and Miss Holmes suitably replied.