Wanganui Business Firms Contribute To Funds Of Male Choir

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 June 1948, Page 4

Wanganui Business Firms Contribute To Funds Of Male Choir

A city of Wanganui's size should never allow its Male Choir to reach the stage where it had only £5 in hand and an honorary membership of 60 before presenting a concert in the Opera House, said Mr. L. H. Bassett at the reunion of former members of the choir last night.

He subsequently handed the president, Mr. E. Christie. £69 18s, which had been contributed by business firms in Wanganui on behalf of the choir.

Mr. Bassett said that 10 days ago he waited on the secretary of the choir, Mr. S. Hantori, and inquired about its financial position. The condition which Wanganui had allowed its choir to get into was pitiful. Since then the honorary membership had increased and Mr. H. R.- Ross had done something really creditable by enlisting 106 new members on his own initiative. “This was a credit to him and the success of the concert in the Opera House on Tuesday night has provided the choir with a glorious opportunity of going out and canvassing • for new members,” Mr. Bassett added. “A society like this cannot appeal for donations. It's finances must come from membership..” “I must admit that this has staggered me,” said Mr. Christie, expressing appreciation of the donations. "For business firms in the city to donate that amount is a very fine gesture. We were faced with having to put on two concerts in the Opera House during this, our Jubilee year, and we had to make good. The boys put their shoulI ders to the wheel and they have made good” . , . , rein February the choir had only £5 in hand and the cost of the concert in the Opera House would be about £7O, but on Tuesday morning he knew that the amount would be forthcoming. More than 1000 people were present and it was many years since the choir had sung to an audience of that size.