OPERATIC SOCIETY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 30 August 1929, Page 9

OPERATIC SOCIETY.

RESIGNATIONS ANNOUNCED. The resignations of the musical conductor and the pianiste were announced at a meeting of members of the Hawera Amateur Operatic .Society last night at which the president, Mr J. M. Townsend, presided. Mr Herbert Webb was in. attendance and he said he regretted very much his inability to carry- on evith the work because of the fact that more time was necessary for rehearsals than the claims of his other societies and his choir would allow. He said it was the latter which had brought him to Hawera and therefore it .had first claim on his time. Now, lie added, that the pro due or had arrived ho found it was almost a full time job and this was impossible for him to carry' out. He was exceedingly sorry, he said, for he had had a very ,happy time with the society and was loth to give up the work. He wished the members the greatest success and offered to do anything in his power to forward the interests of the society. Mr R. P. Morrissey, the society’s prompter, said that Mr Webb’s association with the members had been extremely happy and cordial and all would be very sorry he was not able to carry on.

Mrs Hulmc (producer) also spoke and expressed the utmost satisfaction with the work done by members. iShe said that she had never been with a society whose members had done so well in so short a time. (She added, that she felt sure the performance was going to be a great success.

It was announced by the chairman that Mr V. Lester, of Ngaere, had been offered and had accepted the the .position of conductor.

Later the chairman also reported that Mrs D. Ritchie, the society’s pianiste, had also found she had to tender her resignation because other claims had been made which rendered this step necessary. Mr Townsend expressed sincere regret that this had happened and paid a tribute to the good work done bv Mrs 'Ritchie. She had, he said, done everything possible to further the interests of the society ami had promised to stand by them until a successor was appointed. The committee are making arrangements to fill the vacancy and expect to be able to make an announcement in the course of a couple of flays.