COMPETITIONS

Southland Times, Issue 20939, 23 November 1929, Page 4

COMPETITIONS

THE INVERCARGILL SOCIETY. ANNUAL MEETING. OPTIMISTIC TONE PREVAILING. There was an optimistic tone prevailing at the adjourned annual meeting of the Invercargill Competitions Society which was held yesterday afternoon. The president (Mr L. S. Alsweiler) was in the chair and the following members were present: Messrs J. Stevenson, B. C. Galloway, A. Hore, R. B. McKay, J. H. Watson, H. P. Weston, D. J. Wesney, W. A. Brown, G. E. Borne, A. L. Adamson, H. J. Farrant, C. Bradfield, J. Robertson, T. Pryde and Dr Stanley Brown. The president expressed the pleasure at the good attendance which he said spoke well for the interest taken in the society by the members. The financial position of the society was disclosed by the secretary (Mr J. E. Cuthill) who reported that after bad debts and the sum of £l2 12/- for scholarships had been subtracted from the balance of £79 7/9, the society had about £4O in hand. President's Address. In moving the adoption of the annual report (already published) and balance sheet, the president said, that he would Ijke to mention the valued assistance he had received from members of the executive and secretarial staff. “The session was a heavy one," he said, “and everything went well, but unfortunately we did not meet with success financially. Our members availed themselves of the season tickets for this year than previously, and whilst tho festival was well-attended, our receipts did not reach expectations. The .two demonstration concerts were very well patronized with crowded houses each night. The loss sustained last year and again this year practically wipes out the reserve we had in hand, and no doubt' this will be a factor in arriving at a decision whether it is advisable to carry on. Personally, I feel sure the Competitions Society serves a useful purpose in the community. One has only to look at the talent that is brought forward year after year to prove that a definite object is being achieved. “Nevertheless,” he continued, “we must face facts, and they are that in the last two festivals the society has lost £2B0 —practically all bur reserves. Unless a definite saving of £l2O can be made on each festival, I feel certain it is unwise to continue the competitions. The executive has considered ways and means of shortening the festival, reducing the .expenditure etc., but none of these methods will bring us out on the right side. If we could get a few judges free of cost or the theatre at a very nominal sum, the future success of the Competitions Society would be assured. Can this be done? I shall leave the question in the hands of the incoming executive.” The motion was seconded by Mr Wesney, and the report and balance sheet were adopted. Election of Office-bearers. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year: Patron, his Worship the Mayor (Mr J. D. Campbell); president, Mr L. S. Alsweiler (re-elected pending the society’s decision to continue the festival); vice-president, Mr D. J. Wesney; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. E. Cuthill; auditor, Mr J. E. Taylor; committee, Messrs J. D. Gilmore, A. Hore, B. C. Galloway, Dr Stanley Brown and 11. J. Farrant. General. Mr Wesney moved that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to wait upon the Borough Council to see if a considerable rebate could be obtained in the theatre rent, which had proved an expensive item to the society. Mr Alsweiler said he felt sure that a deputation would receive a sympathetic hearing from the council. In the discussion which ensued the members expressed no intention of abandoning the festivals. On the other hand a number of suggestions, including an active canvass for new members and the holding of choir contests in connection with the annual festivals were put forward. Members agreed that the theatre rent was an expensive item and that if it could possibly be redued, the society’s position would be improved considerably. A deputation consisting of the president, secretary and Messrs Wesney and Farrant was appointed to wait on the council seeking a reduction in the theatre rent.