TIMARU ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18847, 9 April 1931, Page 9

TIMARU ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of members of : the Timaru Orchestral Society was held last evening. Mr G. H. Andrews presided over a good attendance. The annual report stated that the Society had had a very successful year from both the musical and financial standpoint. As in the previous year two subscribers’ concerts were given, and the hon. conductor (.Mr F. J. Hyde), and the orchestra were to be congratulated on the high musical standard attained. The quality of the programmes had been maintained, and the playing of the orchestra had shown steady improvement. Very great interest had been taken by the general public in the work of the Society, as was proved by the overflowing audiences which attended each concert. The membership of the orchestra was now 56, and room could be found for fresh instrumentalists who desired to become members. The subscribers’ list contained 40 patrons and 340 subscribers, and it was hoped to increase this number still further during the year. The Society was fortunate in securing the services of some excellent soloists for the two concerts. Miss Teresa McEnroe (Dunedin). Miss Mae Matheson (Dunedin), Mr Alfred Walmsley (Dunedin) and Mr H. G. Glaysher (Christchurch' harpist, were the soloists, and their work was enjoyed by the audiences. The Committee gratefully acknowledged gifts of music during the year, including “Rakoczy March” (Berlioz) from Mr F. Moore, and “Danse Macabre” (Saint-Saens) from a well-wisher of the Society, who desired to remain anonymous. Mr Alfred Hill, of Sydney, had also presented the Society with the manuscript parts of his “Waiata Poi.” It was hoped that other supporters of the Society would follow their good example. Considering the prevailing depression of the past year, the financial position of the Society was very satisfactory. All accounts had been paid, and the Society had a credit balance of £ls/9/10, and a balance of assets over liabilities of £l6O/12/1. It was to be regretted, howtver, that this year’s balance sheet •howed an increased amount of outstanding subscriptions, about £7O. fepecial thanks were due to Mrs G. A. Martin who had acted as accompanist during the year, and also to those whose assistance had willingly been given at all times, also to Mr Inglis Todd and Miss Lilah Greig for valuable assistance. The thanks of the Society were also due to the hon. librarians (Mr G. A. Hornsey) and Mr R. F. Shepard, and to Mr W. I. Tait for his work as hon. auditor. The success of the year’s work was largely due to the untiring efforts of the conductor (Mr F. J. Hyde) and the excellent work done by Mr P. W. Rule, who had carried out the onerous duties of secretary and treasurer with tact and ability, and the Society desired to express to these their best thanks and appreciation of their services. The president said it was his pleasing duty to move the adoption of the report and balance sheet. The Society’s assets had been written down very considerably, and they had no liabilities, and there was a cash balance at the bank. The outstanding subscriptions were nearly all collectable, and the Society was in a solid financial position. Mr Andrews congratulated members of the Society on the very successful year which had been experienced. They were now entering upon the sixth year of operations, and he hoped it would prove as successful as the previous years had been. It was very pleasing in connection with a Society such as theirs to have an efficient orchestra, and good support from the public. They were very fortunate indeed with their orchestra, which had done remarkably well. Experience in other places had shown that similar Societies lasted a few years and then ceased to function. This had not been the case with the Timaru Orchestral Society, and interest in it had been very well maintained. They had a very efficient band of musicians under a very capable conductor, and they had done excellent work. They also had a good committee and the business side was well looked after. They were indeed fortunate in having a large number of keen supporters. The support from the public was increasing, and their subscribers’ list was the envy of societies in other towns. When It was remembered that these totalled over 400, It was really wonderful for a town the size of Timaru. The committee with Mr Rule at their head in attending to the secretarial duties, had looked after the affairs of the Society most efficiently. Speaking with respect to the Society’s operations under existing conditions, Mr Andrews said that in times of depression music was of the greatest value and was a great elevator in times of trouble. It drove dull care away. This was proved during the late war and soldiers, when things were going against them, relieved their feelings by singing songs which they loved. Mr W. T. Foden seconded the motion, which was carried. Election of Officers. The following officers were elected: President, Mr G. H. Andrews; vice-pre-sidents, Mrs Herbert Hall, Messrs T. P. Crowe, H. Holdgate, J. E. Pigott and H. S. Moore; hon. conductor, Mr F. J. Hyde; hon. accompaniste, Mrs G. A. Martin; hon. librarians, Messrs H. Patchett and B. F. Shepard; committee, Mesdames W. D. Campbell and E. J. Mirams and Messrs G. A. Hornsey, G. Berryman, E. Osborne, S. McConachy, A. J. Allport, H. R. Bennington, E. Budd and W. Foden; house manager, Mr T. P. Crowe; stage manager, Mr E. Budd; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr P. W. Rule; hon. auditor, Mr W. I. Tait. A vote of thanks was accorded Messrs Turnbull and Rule for the use of their office for the purpose of the committee meetings during the year. Mr A. J. All port proposed a vote of to Mr Rule and to Mr Hyde for

their services to the Society during the year, and this was carried by acclamation. A comprehensive vote of thanks to all who had assisted the Society during the past twelve months was carried.