MUSICAL SOCIETY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7068, 21 January 1891, Page 1

MUSICAL SOCIETY.

THE ANNUAL MEETING,

Tho annual meeting of the Christchurch Musical Society was held yesterday eveuing at the Durham street Wesleyan Church school. The chair was taken by the Hon W. Beeves (President), and there was a moderate attendance of members, the majority of whom were ladies. An apology was made for the absence of Mr A. Kayo.

The annual report of the Society, as previously published in this journal, was read. . The Hon W. Eeeves, in moving the adoption of the report, congratulated the Society on the fairly successful year they had passed through, though not 6uch a one as the beat friends of the Society could have wished. He was of opinion that to have a really good musical society in Chriatchurch, the two existing societies must, 6ooner or later, amalgamate. This would bring all their best performers into one society, and there would be a prosperous society instead of two struggling ones. Tho question of asking the working members to subscribe had also been tackled by the Committee, who suggested that they should each subscribe the modest amount of 10s a year. When it was considered that for this moderate subscription they were trained to produce four concerts annually, had a musical education and had really good music at that, he thought they would agree to pay it. He moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. The balance-sheet showed:—Expenditure -. Conductor's salary.includingarrcars, £100; rents, .£SO 14a ; platforma, kc.,£S> 18b 6d; professional assistance, £9 19* 6d; music purchased, JEIB 6a 9d ; advertising and printing, £15 19a lCd } sundries, £16 8s lOd, Income : Balance from last year, £1 103 Ids subscriptions, £U2 14a Gl ; proceeds of ordinary concerts, J824; proceeds of Mr Wallace'a concert, Ml 9a 6d ; Bundries, £10 0s Id. Overdraft at bank, £U 13a 3d. Mr AppJeby spoke at length on the report and balance-sheet. He was in favonr of a subscription being charged to performing members, and suggested that this should be £1 Is per annum, instead of 10a 6d. He thought that the Society should have a maximum number of members, so as to raise the standard of the Society. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. A lengthy discussion arose as to the amount to be charged as subscription, and on the motion of Mr W. Devenish Meares, it was decided that the subscription be 10s, to admit two member 6 of the same family to concerts. The meeting then proceeded to the election of officers. The Chairman announced that the most popular, as well as themoatrespected,residentofChristchurch, Bishop Julius, had consented to take tho Presidency of the Society. (Applause.) I The following officers were elected :— President, Bishop Julius ; Vice-Preei-dents, Hon W. Eeovea, Mes3ra W. D. Meares, A. Kaye, W. Iz<ird and H. H. Loughnan ; Committee, Messro W. Carew, E. W. England, J. C. Prudhoe, 11. S. Blackburn, and Meadames WilHou, Eoberts, Kaye and Garrard; Treasurer, Mr A. F. Harman ; Secretary, Mr W. Black ; Librarian, Mr J- H. Johnsonj Conductor, Mr F. M. Wallace.

On the motion of Mr B. S. Blackburn, a unanimous vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring officers for the painstaking way in which they had performed their duties.

The despatch of somo unimportant business, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman, terminated the proceedings.