AMATEUR OPERA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 10 November 1926, Page 6

AMATEUR OPERA.

THE H AAV ERA SOCIETY. EX'i HUSIASTIC GENERAL MEETING. Approximately 70 members of the Haw-era Amateur Operatic Society were in attendance at the annual meeting held last evening in the Borough Council Chambers, and the meeting proved to be one of the most enthusiastic in the historv of the society. Mr H. L. Spratt, the retiring president, occupied the chair until the election of the incoming president, being then succeeded by Dr? J. McGhie. Before proceeding with the business of the evening, the meeting passed a vote of sympathy with the relatives of three deceased members. Miss Margaret Good and -Messrs AY. D. Johnson and ~W. Hod die. whose deaths bad occurred during the year. PRESIDENT’S REPORT. The president’s annual report read as follows: “Your committee desires to place on record the very great loss to the society sustained by the loss through deatn during the year of three very popular and enthusiastic members —Miss Mar- , garet Good, Mr AA r . D. Johnson, and Mr AA\ Hoddle. The first-named played in our orchestra as lead, and Mr Johnson was a vice-president of the society and prompter. Your committee desires to place on record its appreciation of the very fine work done for the society by these deceased members, deeply regretted. and the society’s sympathies go out to their relatives in their bereavement. “Last season's production, under Mrs Hulme (Christchurch), of ‘A Runaway Girl’ proved successful. Your committee desires to place on record its thanks and appreciation to the officers and all others who assisted in any way in the production. It will he observed that the financial position of the society is satisfactory, although the working expenses this year were somewhat heavy; however, certain of the expenditure is non-recurring, and. again, the proper-ties-of the society have been added to. During the year the society was incorporated under The Tnooporated Societies Act. 1908, as directed at the last annual general meeting of the society, and this should prove of benefit in the machinery of working the society and freeing its committee from personal liability.” SATISFACTORY FINANCES. In presenting the annual report and balance-sheet, Mr Spratt said the year bad been financially successful, despite unusually heavy expenses. A good proportion of such expenditure, however, would not recur. He reviewed the bal-ance-sheet, which disclosed a:i excess of receipts over expenditure for the year of £74 19s od, and a profit of £149 Os 8d on the production of “A Runaway Girl,” while the excess of assets over liabilities showed the society to he worth £412 9s 9d. Scenery and property had involved an expenditure of £97 7s 9d, hut it was anticipated that such would realise approximately £7O, and already certain inquiries, with a view to possible purchase, had been received. Scores had cost a good deal, while the orchestration of various scores bad involved £lB. The annual picnicbad cost £57 13s 4d, and it would he proposed that the function he discontinued for the coming year. The receipts had been only slightly below those of the previous year.

Mr Spratt mentioned that the society had not charged a subscription to old members during the previous year, and

he expressed the opinion that a fee of £1 Is should be charged in future. He considered that the payment of a subscription would create added interest among members in the welfare of the society, and would result in greater concentration in the desire to ensure success than might obtain under a free membership system. He congratulated members on the success of the season, and expressed the wish that future \ ears would be similarly favoured. He moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet.

Mr D. Strachan seconded. Mr B. L. Joll thought the balancesheet showed a highly creditable condition, considering the neavy expenses incurred in the season’s production. Mr A. Gray agreed. Amid applause, lie asked if the committee had considered the question of travelling with the production. Air Spratt replied that, when the society had previously staged its produc--1 tion outside the town, the financial results had not been satisfactory on. account- of the travelling expenses. It had also been found difficult to arrange for the necessary preparatory work at the theatres other than that at New Plymouth. For these reasons mainly the committee had not considered travelling with the “Runaway Girl” production. The report and balance-sheet were adqpted without further discussion. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Prior to the election of officers Mr J. M. Townsend, in accordance with notice, moved that a patron be added to the list of officers, and that the rules he amended accordingly. Speaking to the motion, he said be understood that tiie inclusion of a patron had originally been intended when the rules were being drafted. Mr H. P. A'innicombe seconded. Mr H. Taylor said the society had functioned successfully without the services of a patron, and he could not see that the appointment would result in any practical advantage. The motion was carried, only one vote being recorded against it. ' Before the committee was elected l)r. McGhie referred to the difficulty sometimes experienced through members cast to play roles in a season’s production having to leave rehearsals to attend committee meetings. He stressed the value of organisation, and recommended that the committee should comprise business- people of the town who. while they might he members of the society, would not be taking part in the particular production. The recommendation resulted in a lengthy discussion, hut no action was taken. Office-bearers were elected as follow: B-itron: Mr H. T«. Spratt. President : Dr. J. McGhie. A'ieo-presidents: Messrs J. M. Townsend (re-elected) and AA r . S. Gibson . Committee: Mesdnmes M. J. Goodson. J. A. Duffill. Messrs J. A. Dnl"ettv, AA r . G. Strange. F. AA r . Sutton, IT. P. A’innicombe. and B. McCarthy. Hon. auditor: Mr C. H. Suisted (Yeolc' ted). Hon. treasurer: Air H. Taylor (reelected). Hon. secretary: Air AA T . J. AA r oollett (re-elected). Assistant secretarv: ATr IT. T. Underhill. Piece selection committee: Mrs AT. T. Goods-on. Dr. -T. McGhie. Messrs AA T . S. Gibson. IT. Taylor. E. H. Ollorenshnw and H. L. Spratt. NEAV MEMBERS. New members were elected as follow: ATrs J. Hawken, ATisses E. Quin and P. Henry, ATessrs J. A. Dalgettv, AV. G. Strange, F. AY. Sutton, H. T. Un-

derhill, F. E. Powell, B. AlcCaith\, and C. Robb. SERA 7 ICES APPRECIATED. Before vacating the chair, Mr Spratt intimated he would not seek re-election as president. He expressed his admiration of the magnificent spirit of loyalty to the society which had been shown by all .members during his association ivith them. He also drew attention to the success in the musical world of two- of its early members —Aliss Constance Iteilly and Air Walter Fennell. The former was now preparing to take her place as the leading mezzo-soprano in the grand opera “Aida” at Rome, while Air Fennell had achieved. scholarship honours and was pursuing his studies in England. For the purpose of dealing with matters affecting the common interests of musical societies, he suggested that consideration be given 'to the formation of a federation of sir-h institutions locally. Tribute to the services rendered by Air Spratt was paid by the incoming president, Dr. McGhie. The president felt that all members would agree that Mr Spratt had always displayed Keen enthusiasm, coupled with marked ability, in all matters affecting the society? and that its success was largely due to the manner in ’ which with others, such as Air J. G. Osborne, he had worked during the initial stages. “Mr Spratt’s work is deserving of the highest credit we can possibly give,” continued Dr. AlcGhie, “and I think it would be very fitting if the society recognised his services by appointing him as its first life member.” On Dr. AlcGhie’s motion, Air Spratt was elected as a life member, the election being carried to the accompaniment of enthusiastic acclamation. ! On the motion of Mrs J. A. Duffill. i a vote of thanks was also accorded Airs Spratt in apnreciation of her services. PICNIC AND SOCIALS. A recommendation that the annual picnic be discontinued for the ensuing year was received from the retiring committee, a motion being tabled by Mr G. Hessell, seconded hv Air H. Taylor. The president - suggested that, to serve the purpose of providing opportuntiy for the exchange of social amenities, a series of monthly gatherings should be held. At .such gatherings musical programmes could he arranged, and so provide nu opportunity for the discovery of latent talent among members. He further suggested that the piece selection committee should he requested to make its announcement as early as possible, and that the scores and “libretto” he distributed in order to encourage members' to qualify for parts for which they might have inclination and qualification. Tie pointed out that a person should be chosen on account of suitabilitv for a particular role, and not merely as a good stage performer; and he thought it would be advisable to entrust the appointment of the cast to a committee of experts, who would make decision on a competitive basis. Mr Townsend supported the proposed socials, and suggested that competitions should he arranged. 'Phe president thought it would he preferable to restrict any competitions at the socials to items outside the scope of the particular play, hut competitions in roles could he conducted before the selection committee. Air J. D. AlcQuin opposed -he principle of conducting competitions at the socials. Such programmes should, he thought, comprise voluntary items. The motion that the picnic he discontinued was carried without dissent, and, on the motion of Mr H. Taylor, action concerning the proposed socials was left to the committee.

CAST COMMITTEE

In accordance with notice, Air H. Taylor moved.: (1) that the cast selection committee consist of not more than three persons (not necessarily mem hers of the society) one of whom shall he the producer; the committee to he elected at the annual general meeting; (2) that office-bearers of the society shall not be regarded as ex officio members of the cast committee.”

Al.i j. D. McQuinn seconded. Replying to an inquiry, Air Taylor explained that the two members, )>esides the producer, might, or might not, as desired, be members of the society The president thought the east committee should consist of the producer, a judge of elocution, and a musical judge. Air AlcQuin considered the final selection should be left to the producer and the musical director. He also suggested that- the producer should be asked, to visit the town about five months before the anticipated date of the production, and have the right of deciding the cast from among .members who had meanwhile lveen endeavouring to fit themselves for the respective roles. The musical director (Mr F. H. Ollerenshaw) was of the opinion that a. local committee of active members of the society should be best able to exercise discretion, and Air AV. S. Gibson agreed that local knowledge was a highly important factor Mr Spratt considered it would be a mistake to allow outside people to become members of the cast committee. Such could not be expected to gain the necessarv knowledge to judge as to whom should he given preference, liefer ring to a particular clause in the motion, he explained that, last season, office-bearers were -not ex-officio members of the cast- committee. He thought that the musical director was just as essential as the producer in making the selection of the cast, and he proposed that the committee comprise the musL r.„l director and two other members of the society. Ah- Taylor offered to amend the motion so as to provide for the appointment. to the cast committee of the producer, the musical director, and ono other.

Referring to a previous suggestion, the president said the production, should he chosen immediately, and that the producer he requested to visit the town three or four months before the performance dates, assist iTu-selecting the cast, and conduct a week’s instruction. After further discussion, an amendment that the cast selection committee consist of the musical director and two other members of the society was proposed 1— Air Hessell. The amendment wa.s canned, and was adopted as the motion. “Messrs A. Gray and G. Hessell were elected to the cast selection, committee . DONATION OF £SO. A suggestion put forward by Air Soratt that a subscription- fee he charged led to a protracted discussion, on the conclusion of which it was decided on Mr Spratt’s motion, that a fee of 10s be charged, the fee to include the cost of the. musical score; and that, in eases where more than two members belong to a family, subscriptions in excess of two ho reduced to 2s 6d. On the recommendation of the retiring committee, it was decided to lodge the sum of £SO with the Hawera Borough Council as a donation for charitable purposes. At 12.20 a.in. the meetinsr concluded with votes of thanks to the chairman and outgoing officers.