OPERATIC SOCIETY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13350, 7 April 1914, Page 7

OPERATIC SOCIETY.

There was, a fair attendance last evening at the annual meeting of the Gisborne Operatic Society. Mr fM. L. Foster presided. . The annual report, which read as follows, was adopted : —

"In presenting their report Jot the past year, the committee have again "to congratulate the members on a most successful Season. fAfter much deliberation and some disappointments in tne choice 'of pieces, the committee decided on 'Les Cloches de Corneville.' and it was staged for five nights in Show week. Owing to the counter attractions and the changing of the races to -the previous week, the takings amounted to about the same as the previous year, although an extra night was played; but the receipts were sufficient to enable us, to meet all liabilities and still leave enpugh to enable the Society to make a fitting recognition to our musical director' (Mr Mainland Fos--ter) for tho splendid services rendered during the two years' of the Society's existence, and on behalf of* the members the committee liave presented Mr Foster with a gold watch, suitably inscribed, as a slight token .of our Indebtedness for , his services. Without our musical director's strenuous efforts the excellence of our last production in this branch could never have been obtained, and We hope to maintain the high- standard reached in all our future efforts. The Society were fortunate ip securing the services of Mr Tom Pollard as producer, and the all-round excellence of .'Les Cloches' was largely due to his invaluable, methods. The Society is also indebted to Mr A. E. Lawrence for his kindness in taking charge of rehearsals during Mr Foster's absence from Gisborne. In a minor degree the Society; is also indebted to Mr Percy Andrew, the honorary stage manager, and to Mr J. My Samson, our energetic honorarysecretary. It was pleasing to note that our list of subscribing members more, than doubled last season, and we also gained a large number of performing members, most of whom stood loyaflly to the Society and saw all the perform^ ances through. The committee havo .to record with the deepest regret the death of our enthusiastic patron, Mr Wm. Pettie. He was one of the founders of the Society, and entertained the performers and members at a most enjoyable social afternoon on the (gisborne bowling green shortly after the prbduction of 'Les Cloches,' No record of our season * would be complete without also recording our great obligation to Mrs Foster as hon. pianiste. Ther drudgery of inipartipg a. thorough musical knowledge of tha play into- both Jhoru* and principals is Io a great extant ill her hands, and her untiring, 'efforts^ aro largely responsible for the f»ent of this department. We have also i> tharif our president (Mr W. B. Mill%r.<&r hlsggreat help as in the previous yeas Thanks to his support we were able i* stage the production at His Majesty^ Theatre, and also secure the loan of valuable scenery* and the committee would tiso acknowledge the valuable assistance Of Messrs Tattersall and Bayly and $4r A. ; Seymour^ The committee are hjakini|: Inquiries with regard to a syllable i>pora for this season's ,produetjdft. and hope $i an early date to secup a play and sta,Rt witty- work without flelay." The balance-she,^ sh^d the finances of the society to be iri'-'jrs^uhd state. The election of officers V -^ft eriiuing yeijr resulted a3 follows?-- Vatron^ Mr H. D. deLautour; p re-si ent, Mr W. B. Miller (re-elected); flce-nresldents, Messrs W. R. Barker, o**- Haviej, E. H. Mann, Ed. Murphy, f- H. Wallis (all re-elected), Dr. Jama? Reid, W. F. Cederwall; commitfe, MeasJßß C Adair, A. Zachariah. J- Andre*! J. M. Samson, L. Fail, F. Jn^at ; mttsical director, Mr M. L. FoAW 'w-eleofad) ; secretary and treasurer, V Walter Barnson : hon. solicitor, Mr <*>• Stock ;|hon. auditor, Mr C. G. Bayluf \ The matter df inclponitMnv * was brought up, but was lef for the upcoming' committee to go int< i Tlie offices of secrete and treasurer have been combined, * It has been stated th Jhe nestj production staged bv the C borne Operatic Society will be ihe wejtoown favorite comic oneira. "Paul J^nsff, , '*