SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS OF OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 2818, 18 March 1908, Page 36

SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS OF OTAGO.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of this society was held on Saturday evening, 14th inst., at the Oddfellows' Hall, Stuart street. There was a fairly large attendance of the town members, and the president (Signor R. Squarise) occupied the chair. After the usual confirmation of minutes, the president's report was read by the hon. secretary. After having paid all liabilities and having no arrears of subscription the bank balance stands at £22 10s lOd. The membership is at the commencement of the financial year one less than last year. The President expressed a wish that members would come forward with papers to be read at the quarterly meetings. These are held in May, August, and November. He also hoped they would provide short programmes of music. The report made reference to "The Musicians Bill, 1907," introduced by Mr T. K. Sidey last session, and whicn the society, in coTsipany with others, had promoted. This bill,"after passing- its second reading, was referred to the Education Committee, by which it was not killed, as reported in some quarters, but recommended for further consideration. The first effect of the bill had been to cause the formation of Societies of Musicians in Wellington and Napier, and the promoters were advised not to tender evidence before the committee last session, but to wait till after a conference of musicians, proposed by the new Wellington society, had taken This conference, which was held in Wellington in January last, discussed the advisability of legislation, and approved of it by 38 votes to 10, after whioh Mr Sidey s bill was discussed and a few amendments made, but the general objects were left unaltered. The conference also discussed the teaching of singing in public schools and press musical criticisms. Before closing they decided to hold another meeting in January, 1909, in the city of Auckland. A verbatim report is in the possesion of the society, and no trace can be found in it of . the alleged discord among musicians. I One occasional vacancy on the council had been filled during the year that body having appointed Miss J. C. Longford, L.A.B. This the meeting confirmed. | Of the retiring members of the council, I W J. C. Easton was re-elected and Mr J. M. Lomas and Mr W. Paget Gale were elected to the other vacancies. _ j Signor Squarise was again elected president, Mr W. E. Taylor and Mrs Wilkie vice-presidents, Mr J. Tim«on treasurer, and Mr Maitland Gardiner hen. secretary, the members of the council in addition to the above-named being Mr E. L. Ashbv, : Mibs Aitkon, Miss B. Earth, Miss fc. Hartley, Mr A. Vallis, and Miss J. Yorston. The subscription for the present year was fixed at 10s 6d, and is now payable. The rule regarding associates was rescinded, it being found advisable to ais- I continue admitting them when the other Societies of Musicians do not, and in the probability in the near future of the amalcremation of the local societies into one large one for all New Zealand. A motion was also carried to reduce the quorum of the council from eifrht to seven. • A petition to the Hon. Minister of Education prepared by the Chnstchurch Society was read, setting forth its reasons for objecting to the proposal to establish a Conservatorium of Music, as suggested by the University of New Zealand, and of subsidising in any way such an iistitute." Strong and weighty arguments ag-ainet the proposal were set forth. The petition was signed by those present.