THE MUSICAL UNION.

Southland Times, Issue 14096, 30 April 1909, Page 6

THE MUSICAL UNION.

fllW HWI'MTTSIASTIO ■ KM BMW. ATTEMPT TO REVIVE INTEREST. A special general meeting: of the Invercargill Musical Union was held In Mr Qias. Gray's rooms in Esk street yesterday evening to consider the resolution passed by the committee after Mr Gray had Intimated that It was Impossible for him to retain the conductorshlp of the Union In the face of the present apathy and indifCerence displayed by the members. The following were present:— Messrs J. L. McG. Watson Cln the chair), R. Allen (secretary), R. B. McKay. J. Mac Gibbon, W. Quinn, C- C. Cook, Jas. Callender. D. W. McKay. C. Ashley. J. McDonald, D. Klngsland and E. Le Petit, Misses Crofts, Ashley (2), Rowe, Craig. Gilmonr and Kawson, and Mesdames Quinn. Hunter and Goldsmith. Mr Gray was present by Invitation, Apologies for absence were read from Messrs F. Scandrett, Norris, Pilcher and Ferguson. The resolution submitted by the committee was as follows: —"That it be a recommendation to the members that the operations of the Society be suspended for twelve months, or until such time as circumstances warrark, and that meantime the assets of the Union be vested in trustees and held as against the liabilities of the Union, the trustees to be nominated by this meeting, but to include Mr Chas. Gray, the conditions of trust to be fixed by this meeting.” Before the resolution was discussed by those present the secretary read several letters from members regretting the position that had arisen. The following extracts are taken from a letter written by Mr O. R, Barrett, who Is at present relieving at Riverton:—Personally I think it will be a great mistake If the members decide to endorse the committee’s suggestion to accept Mr Gray’s resignation, and fo allow the work of the Society to lapse for a year, without one more last effort to continue. I do not doubt that the committee have gone thoroughly into the matter, and will have very good reasons to put before members: but If a way could be found out of the difficulty I am sure nobody would be more pleased than they. To suggest ceasing for a year seems to me to be an evasion of the position, a put-ting-off of the evil day. What can possibly be gained by it? Everything would have to be started again from the beginning. Those members who are not very enthusiastic, and who will tell you that they never take their instruments out of the case from one week’s end to the other, what condition will they be in at the end of a year to take up the serious study of orchestral music? Most likely other interests than music will have claimed their attention. Then the public interest in the Society, and its performances, will disappear. If we do not believe in ourselves, we cannot expect the public to do so. Then a body of honorary members like ours is not to be given up lightly. It would be no easy task to regain lost ground In this respect. as there are nowadays so many calls on the pocket of the public. The time has come when the society must help itself or go to the wall. Before Mr Gray can bo asked to reconsider his decision he must have the assurance of members that they will turn over anew leaf as regards attendance and punctuality. and after all that is done for them, it is the very least they can do. If a way can be found to continue the orchestra, I should like to make the following suggestions:—That only threestring practices be held. This should be quite sufficient If members attend them, and take the parts home. After the three-string practices, the full orchestra to be called, so that members might enjoy, more than at present, the full effect of the music. And, if I may venture to suggest to Mr Gray, that he should let us —once in a way. and as a treat —have our heads, and get through a piece, mistakes and all. without stopping. I know it is very easy to revive the Society—on paper—but I sincerely hope that a way will be found, and that the members will rise in their might, and protest against letting the Society go down. The Chairman said that his own feelings had been admirably expressed by Mr Barrett, but that the committee had had no other alternative than to submit the resolution, and he would therefore, though it Trent very much against the grain, formally propose the motion. Mr McDonald endorsed the opinions expressed by Mr Barrett, and by the chairman, but seconded the motion in order to give Mr Gray an opportunity to amplify the explanation made in his letter of resignation. Mr Gray said that it was only to be expected that in such an old Society, there should be some give and take in the matter of attendance, but lie would not keep on nagging about attendance, end everlastingly asking members to come to practice. He could not do that EOTt of thing. The pleasant relations existing between himself and the members were an agreeable feature of the work, but he could not ask members, as a personal favour, to attend practices. His heart was as keen as ever in the Union, and be was entirely in the hands of the Committee. But he would never go to a man and say, “My friend, will you come to the practices for my sake? If they wouldn’t‘come for the sake of the music then they needn’t come at all. He bnri received numbers of kind and appreciative letters from members, and. though he appreciated the sentiments expressed very highly, he would rather have them keen for the music than say all the kind things in the world about timseff.

Messrs MacGtbbon and Callender spoke earnestly In favour of taking steps to tiring about a revival of interest in the Society, and in this attitude they were strongly supported by Messrs R. B. and D. W. McKay.

Finally, when the position of the ■Onion with regard to Us willingly recognised obligations in the matter of giving another concert had been fully discussed, Mr Mac Gibbon moved, and Mr li. b. McKay seconded an amendment to the effect that the recommendation of the Committee be held over, and that a snb-oonrraittee be formed to canvass working members with a view to getting them to pledge themselves to attend practices, the result of the subcommittee’s efforts to be considered at a general meeting to be called in a month’s time. Hie amendment was carried unanimously amidst applause, and when the chairman had conveyed the purport of U to Mr Gray, that gentleman’s promise to do bis share of the work was received with enthusiastic approval. The sub-committee to carry out the wishes of those present was appointed as follows; —Messrs R. B. McKay, MacGibbon. Callender, Kingsland, McDonald, Quinn. D. W. McKay. Cook, and Barrett, and Misses Gilrr/.ur and Rawson, and Mesdames Quine, Hunter. C. Martin, and F. Hall (with power to add to their number). It was decided that the annual meeting of the Union be hold on the same evening as that appointed for the special gerleral meeting.