Dunedin’s Community Sings Set Record for Popularity And Worth-while Endeavour

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26916, 30 October 1948, Page 8

Dunedin’s Community Sings Set Record for Popularity And Worth-while Endeavour

Yet another highly successful season of community sings in Dunedin is drawing to a close—the twenty-third sing of the year was held yesterday and the twenty-fourth and final will take place on Wednesday night, November 10, in the Town Hall. Begun in the depression year of 1931 with the object of providing a little comfort and enjoyment to those people who could not afford to pay for entertainment, these community sings have become a veritable institution with a Dominion-wide popularity. Broadcasts of the sings have regular listeners throughout New Zealand. While community sings in other centres had their fleeting moments before they were discontinued, the Dunedin sings have maintained a popularity with the public that is increasing with, the years.

Wisely organised and conducted, the Dunedin community sings have been a tremendous success in the raising of money for numerous deserving causes. Up to the end of last year the sum of £40,000 had been collected; after the final sing this year, on November 10 next (the proceeds from which will be for aid to Britain), it is expected that the total will have been increased to £43,128. This has been achieved as a result of the committee’s prudent policy—voluntary contributions are encouraged for worthy causes, honest auctions are held of all goods given by supporters, but never are raffles or games of chance employed. An idea of the generous support accorded the sings by the public can be gained from the extent of the response from the people who attend the enjoyable sessions in the Strand Theatre and equally from appreciative listeners in other centres, who derive a great deal of pleasure from the radio broadcasts of the- sings. The committee has received numerous gifts of £IOO and £SO each. This year, “Two Sisters,” of Timaru, gave £6O. The committee has just received a money order for £2O for Food for Britain. The stall which has been conducted in the vestibule of the Strand Theatre in conjunction with the sings has had a total taking of more than £7OO. It has been conducted since 1933 by Mrs W. F. Mclntyre. The gross takings for the first year (1931) amounted to £74. Since then, the sum has increased. Many Donations Made A list of all the worthwhile causes supported by the committee with donations would be of unusual length. Some of the larger amounts paid out in recent years, however, are of particular interest. They include: 1938.—Chinese orphans. £175; Chinese students, £175; Mayor’s fund, £225 ' 1940. Red Cross (Finnish), £450; Red Cross, £301; Soldiers’ parcels, £907; Spitfire Fund, £415; London Air Raid Relief, £315. 1941. Relief of distress in London, £250; Comforts for fighters, £IBO. 1942. —Prisoner of war parcels, £430. 1943. —Disabled servicemen’s bowling green, £IOO. 1944. —Patriotic Christmas parcels, £550; Chinese children, £lB7. 1945: Food for Britain, £564; Lepers’ Fund, £220; McLay triplets, £llO. 1946 —Food for Britain. £1780; Lepers’ Fund, £134; nurses’ chapei, £ 1947 .—Food for Britain, £1500; Lepers’ fund, £IOO. 1948—United Nations appeal for children, £1928 (from the first four sings) • Food for Britain, probably more ’than £IOOO (including _ the contributions from the final sing next month). . . , , In addition, sales of Victory bonds in 1945 totalled v £ 10,607. The committee has received hundreds of letters of appreciation not only from throughout New Zealand but from many places all over the world. A special copy of the Airman’s Hymn,” sung at the sings, was sent to Mr Churchill when he was Prime Minister of Britain and leader of the British Commonwealth of Nations. He replied, expressing his appreciation of the committee s kind thought. As in the war years, so now, the committee receives letters from listeners every week. , , , Since the sings began the standard of the local performers has always been high, and this fact has no doubt been a material factor m the success of the seasons. Guests and Officials Another interesting aspect of the sings is the vast number of visitors who have been entertained and who have provided entertainment. This year all the Ranfurly Shield teams that were in the city on the Friday were guests, as were members of the New Zealand and Australian basketball teams, New Zealand and Australian women’s hockey teams, and men s hockey teams. In earlier years some of the guests included ‘‘The Modern Grandmother 99 (Mrs O’Sullivan), the men of H.M.A.S. Australia, Serna Chostiakoff, Gladys Moncrieff and Gil Dech members of the 1935 All Blacks (including Jack Hore and ‘ Did Vorrath), the Fijian women s hockey team. Australian Rugby team and All Black team, the British and New Zealand Soccer teams, the Johnson quadruplets, the British women’s hockey team, Ruth Draper, Alan Loveday, and the. High Commissioners for Great Britain in New Zealand, Sir Harry and Lady Batterbee, and Sir Patrick and Lady D No reference to the Dunedin community sings would be complete without mention of those enthusiastic and indefatigable workers who have assured the high degree of success attained. Those associated with the first sings in 1931 were Miss Rita Holmes (pianist), Mr H. P. and Major Dampen (leaders). Messrs W. R. Sinclair, A. Regan, D. Wrathall J. F. Himburg, and Brother Bill (children s songs). Although that was.almost 13 years ago, many of these citizens are still at the helm. Mr A- H. Pettitlbecame pianist in 1934. Mrs Mclntyre, of course has been in charge ox ,he stall since 1933. • .. To-day the committee is as active and enthusiastic as ever. Led by Mr Sinclair as chairman, it consists oi Messrs J. Butler, D. Munro R. Coombs J W. Dugdale, A. W. Romeril, and L Seehof Mr Desmoulins is still leader and Mr Himburg secretary.