DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14002, 7 September 1907, Page 5

DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

CITY COUNCIL'S HELP ASKED. A deputation from the Dunedin Competitions Society, consisting of Messrs F. J. St'lling, J. W. Smith, E. D. Grace lljon. secretary), 11. F. Moss (lion, treasurer)K. Ewing,. and the Rev. Curzon-Siggers, waited l on the Finance Committee of the City Council yesterday afternoon for tho purpose of soliciting, the support of the City Corporation in the work of* the society! . Mr F. J. Stilling said tho society was anxious to enlist the sympathy of tho council. Wilh that object in view they hod approached the Finance Committee in order to place before it a. few reasons that might influence the council towards according the society .some measure of support.. There was, lie said, two. aspects to the question —the material and the sentimental. From a. malor ; al. point of view ho would like to point out that the society had now broadened out considerably, and its awards were considered of some notice by those coming forward. He had noticed in a concert, programme three weeks ago that three separate items ycrc fict down as being tho winning efforts at the society's competitions. Last year throughout tho session His Majesty's Theatre was always full, and on some occasions crowded to the doors. This showed not only that the publio Was taking a very large interest in the work of the society, but principally that it served to. swell the tramway receipts materially.. The theatres were evidently looked to as providing a prolific source of tramway revenue, because a recent depreciation in revenue had been ascribed to the fact that tho theatres had been closed. Ho put to them that if (tile society was capable of filling the, tjieatre: nightly for a period of 10 days 'it, must mean a material advantage to ' the .traijiway receipts. Further, many of the competitors came from considerable distances, involving tho spending of a considerable anftunt of money in the town. Ah awkward feature of tho material aspect of the question was that although tho society had a full house every night a large number of people entered on membership tickets, and as the society had to provide over. £300 in prizes and trophic?, and as there were many goneral expenses to be met, the society found that it -was necessary to havo a very considerable amount of money, and that it wa6 impossible for them to save mucTi". Those men who gave their services in the interests ol the society did not do it grudgingly. Tho work was of a purely philanthropic nature. He would like to say that some of the corporations in tho Australian Commonwealth had for some years cheerfully recognised that- tho societies wore worthy of somo support. In Ballarat £7b was so granted annually, and in Bendigo £50. Competitions societies were bodies that created great public interest, and were tho means of bringing into prominence large numbers of people whose talent would otherwise he obscured. Ho had no doubt of course, but that there were many legitimate outlets for corporation energy, some of them .involving not only personal attendance at, Wellington and elsewhere, but trips by train and buggy; requiring considerable physical; stamina.—(Laughter.) Coining to the sentimental side, he would first like to point _ out that tho work done by the committee was entirely honorary. Th6y •would.agree with him that not "the least despised form of charitv was that which helped others to help themselves. It was' as desirable for young children to find out' what thoy wore unfitted. for as it was for them to find out, their strong points. The competitions served that end. and, incidentally, was the means of bringing to light talent that had proved of valuable service to charity. It was a significant, fact that all. the Mayors of Dunedin who had been presidents of the society had been very enthusiastic supporters, and invariably expressed their entire approval of the work of the society, ;.,nd ' had promised to do what they could in the ..\va.v of obtaining assistance from the corporation. - '"'"' '

Tho Rev. Oiirzon-Sjggers said it was recognised in tile Home Country that corporations should take up an almost parental attitude in regard to some matters, and in many towns thfro were what, wore known as corporation prizes—prizes provided for by corporation money, Tlieso wore looked unon as being of some considerable value. In Inforcargill the corporation had already mad© an annual donation of £10, although tho society there had only been in existence for somo 12 months. _ lie would like to point out that the society's competition came from all classes.

Mr Moss said tlicr-e was on annual ex» pcntlilure of £600 or £700, which made it a somewhat anxious matter to the committee. At the end of each year their financial position was such that- they usually just managed to square accounts. Mr Small, chairman of the committee, said' the committee was entirely in sympathy with the work of the society. In the matter of giving assistance, however, there was (.lie question of ways and means. They, would, however, do what they could to iass.ist the society. Mr Stilling thanked the committee for the' attention given to . the subject. No doubt the committee would take a reasonable view of the matter and assist to the best of its ability.'