VALUABLE WORK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26026, 14 December 1945, Page 6

VALUABLE WORK

INFLUENCE OF COMMUNITY SINGS MANY CAUSES ASSISTED “ Your organisation is performing an outstanding service, and is a fine influence in the community. I ask you to accept the congratulations and thanks of the city,” said the Mayor (Mr D. C. Cameron) at the final meeting for the 1945 season of the Dunedin Community Sing Committee yesterday. The chairman of the committee (MrW. R. Sinclair) said that the sings had grown in popularity year by year, and the contributions received through their appeals had now reached a total of £33,531 10s. It was difficult to assess the full value of the sings, he said. They were of benefit to the community in many ways. Those who attended them, including many housewives and others whose occupations did not bring them into the city every day, enjoyed them, and those who listened to them, numbering thousands throughout the city and country, also derived much pleasure from them. To sick people and others who were confined to their homes they were of particular valueHelp to Deserving Causes That was on the pleasure side of the ledger, Mr Sinclair said. On the other side was the help given to many deserving purposes by the funds collected through the sings. Among the causes which had been assisted were the Food for Britain Fund, the Lepers Fund, the Bombed Britain Fund, the Red Cross, and the Otago and Southland Amputees’ Association. “ For these reasons,” he said, ‘‘it is likely that the sings will be continued; there is still much fas them to do.” • It would have been impossible to maintain the standard of the sings without good leaders, hre added. The committee and the pubUc had been very fortunate in that respect. “ Our three chiefs are still doing a fine job,” he said, “ and so are the others who do their full share but are seldom seen.” The broadcasting authorities had allowed a little more time and a little more latitude during 1945, Mr Sinclair concluded. Both these concessions were appreciated, and the effect of the extra latitude had been reflected in an immediate increase in the response to appeals. Several speakers mentioned appreciations which had been received from all over the country, and the honorary secretary (Mr J. F. Himburg) said that the promises of contributions made over the telephone were 100 per cent genuine. Actually, a great many more contributions were received than were promised. The meeting decided that the sings should be carried on as usual next year and the chairman, secretary, and Mr H- P- Desmoulins were appointed to fix the date for the opening sing. Notable Results The fifteenth annual report, which the meeting adopted, stated that there was again every reason to be proud of the wonderful results from the point of view of both the singing and the financial aspect. Twenty-four sings were held during the year, and the receipts totalled £2115, which, with Victory Bonds sold to the value of £4400, made a total of £6515. Last year the receipts amounted to £1355, Each week the public was informed of the purpose for which the appeal was being made, and donations were made to the following causes:—“Food for Britain,” £564; “Lepers Fund,” £220; U.N.R.R.A., £155; “Bombed Britishers.” £131; “McLay Triplets,” £110; “Otago and Southland Amputees,” £105; “Dunedin,Nurses’ Chapel Fund,” £76; “Red Cross” (local), £63; "St. John Ambulance,” £52; “R.S.A. Building,” £94; “Heritage,” £42; “Health Camp,” £36; “Dunedin Kindergarten,” £3O; "New Zealand Crippled Children,” £27; “Salvation Army,” £22; “ Soldiers’ Parcels,” £2O; “Dunedin Citizens’ Nursery.” £l6; “Plunket Society,” £ls;, “Backward Children,” £l3; “Mayor’s Christmas Cheer ,f or Old People,” £ 12. The report thanked the many guest performers who had contributed to the success of the sings, and those who had so consistently given articles for sale. It concluded by making reference to the consistent teamwork of the committee and to the valuable efforts of Mrs Mclntyre, who was in charge of the stall. Particular mention was made of the outstanding services of the pianist (Mr A. Pettitt), the leader (Mr H- P. Desmoulins), and the deputy leader (Mr Himburg), and several speakers who spoke to the adoption of the report paid tributes to the untiring and successful work of this trio.