Original Correspondence.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 915, 25 November 1864, Page 5

Original Correspondence.

DUNEDIN PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.

(To the Editor of the Daily TimesJ

Sir—A letter in your columns to-day, signed " F. Richardson/' and an editorial paragraph on thesubj-ct in yoor issue of the day before, induce roe to ask space for a little furthi-r ventilating of the matter. You say "it is undoubtedly to the want of a thoroughly Competent conductor that the present languishing slate of affairs is to be attribute). * * * The public desire to see a really effective Society established, and would be liberal of its support of it." Wow, sir, I beg to differ on this point, and I think we are nearer the mark if we say something almost the reverse. The public are indifferent, and the present con ■ riuctor is not fairly open to your rather severe criticism. He has worked hard for the .* ociety and, for my part, I have faith in pnins-; ,kin-j, hardworking men. Such a man. p-opei !y supported by the members tliems"lve»j ti-H achieve results which, if not as brilliant, may ho quite as useful, as those of a man who pos-esses more prestige. All who have attended tße rehearsals of the tracred Harmonic Sor-i-ty »t. Exeter Hall, wiil remember that the rehearsals were only very occasionally conducted tj Costa hjmself; the real and hard work the officiant weekly drilling, was conducted by others, and they were able to ac complish what they did by the heirty co-oucri» tioa of the body of member.', which after all 'a •he great thing needed. There was a numerous gathering of members at our society Inst nisht, and those then present can testify if there wa j not progress made. If your correspondent aud the other absenting members would give the'r attendance, it would be the best mode of making the pre=ent conductor even more efficieut. The chief thing to be regretted last night was the time occupied in the practice of solos. Th"se "night surely be taken at another opportunity, and the time when the members of the chorus are gathered, be given as much as possible to cboral practice. I venture to giv« this hnt to the conductor, as I happen to be referring to last ni/ht's meeting.

The new organist of St Paul's may be a thorough master of the organ, but it does not necessarily follow that he is fitted to be an efficient choral conductor; the qualifications are quite distinct. We must a'l hope, however, that he will be as well qualified for the one position as for the other, ami then 1 believe the present conductor of our society will be onh too triad t Inn-I over the baton to him. But even in "his case, I should like to sse the present conductor occupying an honorable post—sny that of permanent vice-flonduetor, so that the two xnighr no-operate as leaders, and the vice conductor's p sition as leader be recognised whenever the head conductor was not present.

Your correspondent refers to the expense of printing rules, &c. The rules will hive to be well considered before we no into print, and if your theory, of a liberal public support to be had tor the asking, be borne out, there should he funds forthcoming- not only for this but for many other newssary things. The wholesome rule in a Society l:ke ours, I conceive to be. that the subscriptions of members should be adequate l() meet all current expenses, and that the proceeds of public concerts should go towards inceasing tho Society's library; thus, efficient, performance induces public patronage, and the tangible results of this pntrouatre became inve-te'l as if. were in the purchase of the works of tbe " trreatmist.-rs" for future public benefit.; The proficiency of the Society, and the gratification of ths public. as;e thus advanced part passw But with up, the proceeds of the concerts have io be alienated towards meeting the current expense'. I need scarcely say, that very few standard works, oratorios. &;c,. at:- purnhaseahle for a lal'ge l iciety, excevt at. a heavy sum.

"ur Society hns some works still in reserve, but not enough in variety for a musical festival at tin Exhibition Had the Comtnir.iee been in funds they would probably have pent to Knglanl for more raus'c, wh'ch might have been now on its wny out OTetland. But the very idea-of a^ Exhibition Festival is absurl unless tha members themselves, and all interested in the. progress of mu>ic in the community, will co-operate; and if yon a><k me liow this can be done, I say : —

l*t, Let the1 influential amongst us, w'lo may not be singers, ov who may not have tiie time to give, shew their co-operation by enrolling their names fs honorary members, and giving their annual subscription of One Guinea. A goodly accumulation of thess juat now would be most uspful and encouraging to the Committee. 2nd, As the conductor appointed five o'c'ock on Monday next for a spefial rehearsal of hdies on'y at the practiceroom, let every lady member make it a point to be present that afternoon; and let all ladie< nnt at present members, but wishing; to give the Society a " liberal support," apply at ouoe for membership. Application may be inide to Mr Wfist, or to any member of committee The Society has always been rea>ly to welcome heartily an increase of lady members, and asks no money subscription from them 3rd. Let your worthy correspondent, and every other member that has absented himself lately, come without fail to the next wek'y rehearsal, on Wednesday next, at half nast 7 punctually. A 1 ttle self-faerifice is sometime* s.ilut'iry. W> should hear little about the society '' languish! g," if the present members simply, *'i'b nu increase of their number, gave regular iitremlruce. But. I am convinced tbcra are a large number of respectable persons, wall qtulitie I, who nibht belong to our society, but don't; how can these be enlisted? I fully ngiei with your lvtnark that the hisis for membership should be solely, respectability of character, and average musical ability. The standard of mu-ical attain merit should not be such as to det'ji- any who really might bs useful in aiding to the strength of a chorus. I hope, if ihe resolution of the Provincial Council be acted on. at d music become generally taught in the High School, that s>me pUn may be devised for a systematic connexi n between the High School mu'-ical practices, and the operations of the Philharmonic Society. The boys' voices would be a most v. 1 table a Idition. I feir I have already taken too much spac.% but 1 would like to say a word on the claims of this Society on public support. It should be, I think, 14 three-<ir. BOXES

welcomed and supported by the intelligent re lisiouscla^e* of the c mmuniiy. It presents a broad platform for recrertion, and for influencing for good the tastes of the community to th se who mav not feel at liberty to freqiiP"t the. ordinary (..laces of amusement. The Philharmonic Sosiety embraces both b<iih-cl»ss secular music, anri the g-ranl works of g'-nius called Oratorios The rumber of those now. wlv> have an bsolute objection to H'ginK in Oratorins, or to hearing them, is very smn'r, and relieious people g-ne rally, vim do not feel thce conscientious scruples, hould in my opinion, throw the weight of fh-i'-infliieace into a s eietv like this. Tru<>, there wid ho som^ evils, but it is pwsiVe to reduce them io minimum. On this princ pie, tbe expr^ sions of applau-e at the Kxeter Hall nerfortnancex catne to he disfavored. It is a necessity t'tat the sacred words should be used in the weekly practices, but levity ca > always be avoided; and in home practice, it is bntfi desirable anil improving, to use the tfo!-f:» syllables, and only to take up the -Scripture words when the music is acquired. Many persons who form-rly objected to heir the Oratorios, now approve of them as means of high moral and intellectual eleva'ion ; or even more, of promoting actual vital religion itself. I am, &c, F. Dunedin, 2-tth Nov., 1834. [We are glad that the few remarks we hays male lately with reference to the Philharmonic Society have drawn attention to the subject, ant. we gladly admit to our columns any discussion which may lead t'i an improvement of the or ganisation of the Society and promote tbe ob jects for which it is formed. Our c has, however, mistaken the drift of our remarks with respect to the conductorship. We should, indeed, regret were it considered that our remarks on this point cast any refle-tion on the gentleman who at present conducts the wekly rehearsals. We can beur the most willing testimor.y to the a=si'luit.y and ability with which tbe gentleman leferred to has performed his duties; and it is not ioo much to say that it is to the industry ami zeal of Mr West that. the existence of the Philharmonic Society U largely due We were, however, aware that the post of conductor was only temporarily filled, therefore our remarks could hardly ba supposed to east any reflecti mon Mr West. We quite agree with many of the suggestions thrown out by our correspondent, and his remarks generally are well worthy of the at ention of our musical readers. It is most desirable that the Philharmonic Society shou'd be r-dsed to a creditable position as to numbers and efficiency, and r/e trust that the music-loving public will cme forward and assist in bringing about this desirable result.—Ed. D T.I

SHOULD CATTLE FEED ON THE TOWN

BF.LT. To the Editor of the Daily Ikies

Srß—l observe in your adverti ing columns the other morning a notice under the head " impounded." intimating that certain cattle, unless released, would be sold for trespassing on. the Town Belt at Port Chalmers Now, accordi-ia: to mv readme, the. same Ordinance which applies to the Port, is equally applicable to the Town Belt at Dunedin. If then the provisions of the Ordinance can be put; in force for ca'tle trespassiner on the B -It at Port Chalmers, how is it that the Belt in Dunedia is exempt from the same law? The fact may not bi generally known, that many pe'sons in Dunedia, who keep cows or horse*, regularly every morning drive them on to the. Town Belt to feed all day without being car* ful'y herded ; and if tbe caUle feel incline 1 to return home themselves during the early pirt of the afternoon, they may be seen wandering and feeding ahout the streets in the mote remoe pirts of the town, or enteiing people's gardens if an opportunity aff>r's, whereby a whole season's garden labor and produce may be destroyed Now, in dnwing attention to this matter, it, must nor, be understood th-rt I object to cattle feeding on the Belt; but if they an allowed to run there, surely it i? not too much to ask that they be herded, in order to prevent them straying and damaeing people's gardens. Some years since ic was propised to Tense out the Town Bslt of Dunedin in allotment-, for a periol, if I misrake not, of 19 years, the rents from which wou d hive added so much more to the vrevenue of the Province ; and even now I do not think it woul i be very wrong in the Government charging a license fee from parties running their cattls on th" Town Belf. t all ewn's, the au horitie* should m lie it generally known whether the privilege o feeding ctttle on the B jlts wiihout ri~k of fines is 11 be extended to all or only to a few ; for if th-i privilp.ee is to be granted to all, then there are ninny families who would keep a |milch cow for their own use, which coul'l feed on thu Belt among other cattle during tha day, and be housed at night.

I am, &c, P. G. D.