ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1932, Page 3

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

NEW PLYMOUTH MEETING. The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Orchestral Society was held last evening, when Air. N. Allen presided over a small attendance. The report stated that the active membership was 15, as compared with 1 1 last year. Although the financial side of the society showed a loss of £1 5s 4d for the year’s working, it must not be overlooked that the assets had been depreciated to a greater extent this year than previously. The total depreciation written off was-£2 12s 9d, compared with 6s last year. There were no outstanding liabilities. The final payment for the purchase of the double bass was made. • A new innovation on July 22 was an open practice. An appreciative attend.ance following with interest the rendering of the various items and the explanations and comments by the conductor. A programme was presented during music week with the assistance of other artists. As in the past concerts by the society had been rendered voluntarily. Regular rehearsals had been held during the year. Owing to the heavy cost of rent it was found°necessary to procure cheaper rooms than the Whiteley Hall. In August the society was very fortunate in obtaining the use of Aliss Dowling’s studio at a nominal rent. The attendance at practices was not of the best. This must have been very disappointing for the conductor and those few who regularly attended. The general apathy shown by those members who did not attend rehearsals had reflected very seriously on the stability of the society. The society congratulated Air. Rupert George on obtaining his degrees, and upon being appointed music instructor at the Hawera Main School. It was to be regretted that the society lost such an assiduous worker for the cause of good music when Mr. George departed from New Plymouth. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. H. C. Collier; vice-presi-dent, Aliss Dowling; honorary secretary, Airs. J. E. Chick; honorary treasurer, Aliss Dowling; committee, Messrs. N. Allen, J. AV. Phillips, J. Rennie and F. Butler. There was considerable discussion on the affairs of the society and eventually, on the motion of Air. Phillips, it was decided to convene a special general meeting, shortly after Easter to consider the question of admission to the society only after an examination as to qualifications by a board consisting of the conductor and the assistant conductor.