DUNEDIN CHORAL SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4660, 24 January 1877, Page 2

DUNEDIN CHORAL SOCIETY.

A meeting of the Dunedm Choral Society was held last night in St. Paul'sSSchool-roofm f in Stuart street. There were about 25 persons present. The chair was occupied by Mr EL Tewslet, who explained the position in which matters stood on the occasion of the last meeting of the Society. The concert which was subsequently held was attended with such 1 success that it was thought that if a special effort were made, sufficient funds would be; raised to place the Society in a satisfactory1 state. They were very much indebted to: Messis Muir and West for their efforts in this! matter. The total proceeds of the concert were LUO, the net result -being L 59 2s 3d.. Therell was now a debit cash balance of L7o3s sd, but. against this there were considerable • assets, i including a valuable musical library, which; was in value twice or thrice as large as thoir; indebtedness. His own feeling was that a Society like the Choral Society should not owe anything, but should always have a standing cash balance in the treasurer's hands. He did not sco why. such should not be the case, if; they west vigorously to work. He did not think that because there Was a debit balance to the amount which he had stated, the* Society should necessari[y collapse. They had; called the meeting for the purpose; of seeing what was to be done in the matter. The Secretary, Mr Muib, then read the foi-; lowing report:—. :.-... , - n, :, .tf' The Committee beg to lay. the following report before the members:— , "The balance-sheet presented Lat the last 'general meeting showed several outstanding liabilities,; amounting to £95. After the meeting, however, thesel liabilities were considerably increased by the expenses; of the concert subsequently given. The Committee* have since been enabled to reduce the debt, by means' of a special concert, to £73 3s sd. Financially,l there-; fore, the Society is, after taking credit for its assets (which amount to about £200), in a sound condition. Tlie Society's best thinks are due to the lessee of the Queen's Theatre for the use of that building at tha special concert/and to those members who" by" their energetic assistance made the : concert so great a success. ] :.: fi. , .., ■ ,* ~ Members are doubtless aware that Mr. Towsey, the hon. conductor to the .Soo'ety, some time since resienej his offlce. He has, since then, continued to render much valuable aid, and the Committee grate-; fully recognise his services. The question for the members to consider this evening is whether the Society, as at present constituted, shall continue, or whether it shall cease. If members should decide oh. the Society going on, tho Committee will at once proceed to appoint a conductor and arrange. for, future concerts and receipt of the annual subscriptions Should the members, however, decide to dissolve the present. Society, and form another musical association, it. wiil be quits competent for them to do so, in which case the Committee will at ouce take steps to wind-up the Society's affairs. There appears to be, on.the part of many of the Society's members; a very earnest' wish to see an Association, which has admittedly been the most successful of iti kind in Duuedin, continue its career of usefulness as a social and educational union, and the Committee are quite prepared to do all in their power to carry on; but that can only be done by members agreeing to sink their lifferences and combining to assist the Committee in their efforts. 111-judged and ill-natured criticism on the performances, a»onymous attacks on the Connrittee, and bickoring and dfc-sen-sion among members, ars not the be^t means of ke-ping together a society such ns this. The Committee therefore trust that the members will discuss the questions submitted to thorn iv a fair and candid manner, and that some satisfactory result may arise from theevening's deliberations. W. M. Hodgkins, Chairman of the Committee For and on behalf of self and Messrs Muir, Lewis, and Tewsley. Mr Eva moved—'* That the Dunedin Choral Society be dissolved." Mr Johnson seconded the motion, which was put and carried. Mr Mendershausen moved—"That those present now resolve themselves into a new Musical Association." Seconded by Mr Johnson, and carried. Mr Mendershausen moved—"That such association take over the a»set3 ancl liabilities of the late Dunedin Choral Society, and that a Committee be appointed to draw out rules to lay before the next general meeting of the members, to be held on Tuesday week.— Carried. The following Committee was appointed, in accordance with the terms of the last resolu tion:—Messrs Hodgkins, FincL, Jones, Carty, Lewis, Mendershausen, Thomson, and Tewsley. The meeting then adjourned.