“VERY PRECARIOUS POSITION”

Southland Times, Issue 23677, 28 November 1938, Page 12

“VERY PRECARIOUS POSITION”

FINANCES OF OPERATIC SOCIETY That the society is in a very precarious financial position is admitted in the annual report of the Invercargill Operatic Society, and the opinion is expressed that there is no alternative but to wind up the affairs of the society. No production was staged during the 193738 season because of continued lack of public support accorded to the society s recent productions, states the report. The result is that' the society is in a very precarious financial position. After providing for outstanding debts for the previous yeai, the funds at the bank were entirely exhausted and there was still considerable debt to be faced as well as providing for the current rent of the society’s rooms. The committee has used every endeavour to raise funds to make ends meet and althoiugh some success accrued from these efforts, the society has still to meet debts of close on £5O, says the report. A circular appeal to the generosity of all past and present honorary and active members resulted in the receipt of the sum of only £37 odd. The position so far as the rooms are concerned was slightly helped by sub-letting them on a wee K-to-week basis, but without further financial assistance the committee feels that there is no alternative but to wind up the affairs of the society. It is appreciated that this would be a regrettable step, but it is difficult to see at present how this can be avoided. Members, however, who still feel that the activities of the society should be continued can best show their enthusiasm in this direction by rallying around the committee and giving it their active co-operation both financial-

ly and by an increased general interest in the society’s concerns. The whole position will be put before the annual meeting, at which a big attendance is specially requested. During the year Mr J. F. Matheson, who was secretary and treasurer for a number of years, departed for 'Australia and his position has been ably filled by Mr B. S. Hammonds, who took over this work with great reluctance but with commendable sacrifice in the society’s interests. The society has lost three old members, Messrs B. D. Murgatroyd, Walter Smith and Eric Sopp, who have been transferred to other parts. The society has also lost Messrs J. Hannon and J. Thomson, new members who have left the city. To all the society extends best wishes ror the future. The committee desires to thank those who Lave in any way assisted the society during the past difficult year.