COMMUNITY SINGING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23669, 29 November 1938, Page 5

COMMUNITY SINGING

ANNUAL MEETING OF COMMITTEE GENEROUS RESPONSE TO APPEALS The,annual meeting of the Dunedin Community Singing Committee was held yesterday afternoon. The Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) presided. A Successful Year The annual report was as follows: In presenting the report and balance sheet covering the community singing for the season 1938, the committee, has every reason to be proud of "the "wonderful results, from the point of view of both the singing and financial : activities. By the courtesy of Messrs Fuller-Hay ward through ,Mr John Hamer, the " Sings" ./ere again held in the Strand Theatre every Friday at 12.15, and on 2very occasion large audiences were present. On several Fridays numbers were unable to gain admission; The receipts for the 25 sings, including the amount brought forward (£l7 7s 3d) and £25 received by: the Plunket Society,, totalled £ 1093 16s, as against £IO9B 3s in 1937. Coir expenses for the year were £231 4s 2d, as against £227 16s 7d,' a slight increase on last rear. This year it was felt that as there was not so much distress the committee could assist other worthy causes, and fouf special sings were held. We handed to the Plunket Society £125, plus £25, total £150; Chinese students in China, £ 175; Chinese orphans in China, £175. This was a wonderful response by the public, and must be a New Zealand record. A word of praise is due to Mr Hunter-Wade for the great interest he vtdok in the: '< Copper Trail?' for ;; this particular appeal,: which amounted Ho £ 71' 6s 2d. % Other amounts were.—St- John's Ambulance, , £ 35: Johnston quadruplets, £2O? the Mayor's relief of distress fund, £225. It is proposed to carry forward £l2 12s lOd. Again this year visits were ■ paid to country towns to conduct sings for worthy objects. The popular leaders carried out the good Work. Unfortunately,' Mr H. P. Desmoulins was unable to appear at them all, but Mr J. Himburg and Mr .Alf Pettitt carried on. Naseby, Owaka, Balclutha (twice). Kaka Point, MoSgiel, Gore (twice), Milton, Oamaru, Port Chalmers. Middlemafch,;. and Riverton were ..all visited, and the efforts resulted in.-over £360. as against £3OO in 1937. With Dunedin's total, the grand total for 1938 is £1453, as against £1398 3s for 1937. ■■■■* A special day for-the Mayoress s Christmas Cheer Fund for the children was held in the Strand Theatre and £SO collected. Big Brother Bill is deserving of a special word of praise for his efforts, and the committee appreciates his work. There-is' no doubt of the popularity of the sings, as is clearly shown by the fact that, in 1931, £74 0s lOd was the total amount of receipts; in 1932, £164 ? 9d, an increase each year. This year'the total receipts .are-£1093 16s*. The com-mittee-is proud of the fact that the whole of -he amount contributed is voluntary and from sales of articles sent in. * Ttfo money has; been- raised by raffles or games of chance. The object of the sings is to give pleasure* not; only, to those attend; fng, sbiif i'lsb to the' patients in; hpspitaß the sick, and. m unable J ttb.: ;'attend,/ |he >-financial aspectKhas .been a secdndary .consider atfbh-and the contawtee' feels that, if .they can. give pleasure ,for an hour, their object has been attained, and their efforts, rewarded* The committee appreciates the valuable assistance given by, Station 4YA.. The committee also desires to thank ..Messrs Fuller-Hayward, through Mr John Hamer, for the use of i'the Strand Theatre, 3Wr.IL Mars-, den (manager), , fot his greatassistrnce, also the. lady members and Mr T. Chettleburgh and -Mr. Cr White, cf the staff, for their untiring efforts, rnd also the Town Hall staff and Toe H members for their assistance. The success of the movement is largely due to the splendid team work of the committee:—W. ".Sinclair (chairman), J. Butler, W. A. Scott, L. Seehof, W. L. Rutledge, P. Chabman, C. Harper, H. Marsden, H. P. Desmoulins and J. F. Himburg (sectary). Whether prominent on the stage or engaged in the less obvious work behind the scenes, all do their Dart zealously and faithfully and all deserve their share of credit for the valuable public service rendered ■; •. , By reason of his versatility and v/Has well as his experience as a conductor, Mr H.. P. Desmoulins maintains his reputation as a popular leader and succeeds in producing community singing which is probrbly the' best in New Zealand. Special appreciation should be corded of the work of the secretary and deputy leader, Mr J. F. Him-r-uvg, "who is the head and front of planning and organising as well .-3 being invaluable for his co-opera-tion with the leader. Mr Alf Pettitt s. gift as a pianist and his unassuming, r*reeable manner endears' him to all. Mr H. Marsden's willing assistance is also valued. Warm thanks are due to Mrs Mclntyre for her unf aggintf energy in connection with th° stall; which has been proved, a helpful means of augmenting the funds." -.This year £sl 4s 2d was riised. against £49 lis 8d in 1937. The Mayoress (Mrs A. H. Allen) has shewn an active interest in the.stall, f-eouehtly assisting in the sale of goods. ;..'.. . Adoption of Report Moving the adoption of the report, chairman of the committee (Mr W. R. Sinclair) said that the sings were originally commenced as a means of cheering oeonle during the depression and. incidentally, of raising money to relieve distress, and each year the committee had to consider whether there was still a demand for their continuation It was evident that the demand still existed, and it was estimated that eve'rv Fridav during the season fome 20,000 people listened to : the sings. In the eight years of its existence, the committee ' had raised a total amount of £5875. In addition, the three leaders had raised £B6O for worthy purposes by visiting country towns. He, expressed his thanks to all - who had assisted in the work The Mayor seconded the motion. There could be no doubt, he said, that the committee had done a valuable work, especially in the depression years. But, he added, while the committee had to consider Whether the demand was continuing, it had to avoid over-commercialising the effort by emphasising the collections. After all. the; original idea had beert' to cheer people by an hour's siniyine together • and- that should always be kept in mind. The committee had. incidentally, raised considerable sums for philanthropic purposes and the community was indebted to it. Mr J. F. Himburg expressed his appreciation of the Mayor's remarks and he also thanked the members of the committee for their co-operation. The report was adopted.