SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS.

Southland Times, Issue 16687, 16 March 1911, Page 2

SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS.

AOTTOAI. MEETING. The sixth annual meeting of the Society of Musicians of Southland was held in the registered office of the Society yesterday. Present: Mr W. Korris (President), in the chair, and Messrs R. A. Edwards (Vice-president), W. J. Ferguson (Hon. Treasurer), Chas. Gray (Hon. Secretary), Misses Crofts, McNeil and Price (.Members of Council), and Misses Mehaffey, Morrison and Searell. The report stated that at the Conference held in Wellington on the I’Sth June last it was decided that Mr Sidey be asked to Introduce his Musicians Bill, but that before finally allowing it to go through, tl'.e various societies should have an opportunity of discussing it. Since then they had been advised by Mr Sidey that last year the Education Committee had made several important amendments in the Bill, and in particular one which took from the Society the right to examine and which placed tlie control of the membership of the Society in the hands of me New Zealand University after twelve months. Regarding the future, Mr Sidey stated that until unanimity can be secured and also until the Government can be led to see the fairness, justice, and advantages of your claims, you might consider whether your Societies might not form themselves into one New Zealand Society on the lines of the Bill and register under the Incorporated Societies’ Act. He said that he was aware that there were difficulties and that the powers of the Societies would be more restricted, but be merely mentioned it as a matter that might be worth while taking into consideration. “To part with the Bill,’’ he concluded, “is like parting with an old friend, bat I hope that the work already done has not been all wasted but that it may yet bear fruit. I think that it has already borne fruit in several ways, and I hope that it has done something towards paving the way for future legislation.” The balance-sheet showed that the receipts for the year amounted to £34 15s lOd, including a balance of £2O Is lOd brought forward from the previous year. The expenditure amounted to £lO 3s, leaving a credit of £24 12s lOd to be carried forward. The assets exceeded the liabilities' by £3l 14s lOd. On the motion of the chairman the report and balance-sheet were adopted. In accordance with notice of motion given, it was decided on the motion of Mr W. J. Ferguson, seconded by Miss Price, to change the name of the Society to “The Southland Society of Professional Musicians (Incorporated).” It was agreed that subscriptions be fixed at £1 Is for convents and male members, and 10s Cd for lady members. The secretary stated that several outstanding subscriptions had come to hand since the balance-sheet had been issued, and outstandings now amounted to only £3 3s. Regret was expressed that town members should so persistently refrain from attending meetings, which, it was considered, was unfair to those who transacted the business of the Society. It was, however, thought that country members could hardly be expected to attend owing to the inconvenience It would entail. The membership roll for the year was as follows: —Dominican Convent, Misses Daphne Bell, M. T. Crofts, V. Lamacroft, E. Mehaffey, M. Morrison, E. McNeil, L. Price, G. Searell, Messrs R. A. Edwards, W. J. Ferguson, Chas. Gray, W. Lillicrap and W. Norris (Invercargill), and Convent of Mercy, Misses M. Latham and G. M. Leask, Herr Otto Hubener, Mesdames J. B. Paterson and J. Virgo, and Mr D. Thomas (Gore). The following were elected officebearers for the year:—President, Mr W. Morris; Vice-presidents, Miss Mehaffey and Mr R. A. Edwards; Hon. Treasurer, Mr W. J. Ferguson: Hon. Secretary. Mr Chas. Gray; Members of Council; Misses M. ■T. Crofts, E. McNeil, and Lily Price; Hon. Auditor, Mr Gep. Black; Solicitors, Messrs Watson and Haggitt. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Geo. Black for his services as Auditor.