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EISTEDDFOD MEIRION ANNUAL…

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EISTEDDFOD MEIRION ANNUAL BANQUET. MR. JOSEPH BENNETT AND THE WELSH EISTEDDFOD. A CRITICISE. On Saturday evening at the Royal Ship Hotel, Dolgelley, the annual banquet in connection with the Eisteddfod Meirion was held. There was a large attendance. Mr R J Griffith, Coedcymer, presided (in the absence of Mr C E J Owen, Hen- gwrt Ucha, through a severe cold), and Mr J Charles Hughes occupied the vice-chair. There were also present: Mr Joseph Bennett, London; Mr W L Barrett, the celebrated flautist; Mr Ackeroyd, Liverpool; Mr W Evans, Edgbaston; Messrs W Williams, Old Caerynwch; Tom Parry; D Griffith Owen, Edward Griffith, Brynadda; J Lloyd, solici- tor; 0 0 Roberts and Llew Meirion (secretaries); G W Kinman, M.A. W Griffith, Mas. Bac.; — Pye- mont; R Turner Hughes, Dr Hugh Jones, J Chid- law Roberts, W R Davies, G R Fitchard, Lieut Finnis, R.I.M; H M Brombey, R Guthrie Jones, E A Williams, — Owen, Carnarvon Henry R Jones, — Westell, Clogau Mines; T II Roberts, Prof Bryner Jones, Lewis Jones, London; — Morgan, Gold Mine; E A Williams, T Rar.del Jones, Ban- gor; Osborne Jones, — Smethurst, Bothamley, Manchester; E A Williams, Melbourne; and T Martin, Dudley. The dinner was a capital one, and served in Mr G Lowe's best style. THE TOAST LIST. The President gave the toast of Her Majesty the Queen." After referring to the popularity and goodness of Her Majesty, he expressed regret that the closing years of her reign and of the century should be marred with a disastrous war, which could not but cause deep pain to sach a tender-hearted lady.-The toast having been drunk with musical honours, the President proposed "The Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family." He said that the Prince of Wales had very kindly become the Colonel-General of the Imperial Light Forces. He was certain that if called upon he would him- self enter the field of battle. ARitY, NAVY, AND RESF.RVE FORCES." Mr Kinman, M.A., proposed this toast. The telegrams received daily from the seat of war were enough to commend the toast. They had never yet had a Government which could ca,rry out a war properly, but our victories were due to the quality of the men we sent out (hear, hear). Those who had studied the question realised that we had now Undertaken the greatest task that ever an army could do. There was not a single note of despon- dency in the country (applause). He had thought of getting a list of those men from the country who were fighting in South Wales for their country, but had failed to get it. He would contend himself by naming the men from their town, friends of most of those present, who were in South Africa or on their way there. They knew that the son of their respected neighbour—Mr Vaughan, Nannau,—was sent out to undertake some most responsible work in connection with the transport service before it was known that the army c r would have to be sent there. Now, he was at the front with General French (hear, hear). He would be supported there by another Dolgelify man, and he was proud to say he was an old grammar school boy, who was a trooper in the 10th Hussars. That night a telegram had been received that he had been accepted for the Imperial Yeomanry. The late captain of the school football club had had his commission, and had volunteered for the front, and the son of Mr Richardson, dentist, was now on his way with the Siege trains which they hoped would soon be shelling Pretoria (hear, hear). Mr Kinman then read some suitable and patriotic lines from the papers, and coupled with the toast the name of Lieut G Finnis, R.I.M. Mr Turner Hughes having sung Soldiers of the Queen," L'eut Finnis responded. He assured them that the men at the front deserved their confidence. Many mistakes had been made, but he did not think they had been done by the commanders at the front. He was sure our men would fight better when they got to know what the country was doing for them. He thanked all for the enthusiastic mitiner in which the toast had been received.—Mr Lewis Jones, London, contributed One of the King's Own," which was exeeedingly well rendered. EISTEDDFOD MEIRION AND IDRIS CHORAL SOCIETY." Professor Bryner Jones was entrusted with this toast. He regarded himself as a sorfof Outlanderat that dinner, and perhaps on that occasion he was something worse, because in being called upon to pro- pose the toast of the Eisteddfod Meirion and Idris Choral Society" for the second time there was a danger of his developing into a Boer (loud laughter). He hoped the war would not affect the fortune of the Eisteddfod or the Choral Society. Amongst provincial eisteddfodau the Meirion Eisteddfod took the foremost place, and the committee and officers deserved to be congratulated upon the mag- nificent list of subjects they bad managed to bring out this year as well as in previous years. The National Eisteddfod would have no need to be ashamed of the list. The large number of com- petitors in the various sections was a proof of the great hold the Eisteddfod had upon the people (hear, hear). He felt proud of Eisteddfod Meirion naturally perhaps for he came from Dolgelley, because it gave encouragement to every section of learning. He believed that if the Eisteddfod developed into a. one-sided affair it would go down (applause). The committee were wise in acquiring the services of adjudicators of the highest possible standard. All the world would acknowledge that that was the case in the musical section, but the same thing could be said of the other adjudicators on the several subjects. He (Professor Jones) had made a suggestion last year and as it had not been aiopfced he would make it once more, that was that the compositions sent in under the several headings be published in a small volume. With respect to the Idris Choral Society he had very little to say. It had done a great deal of excellent work in the town, and there were many people in the district who would never have had the opportunity of hear- ing great works performed had it not been for the existence of this society. Great praise was due to Mr 0 0 Roberts, the conductor, for the excellent work he had done and he was strongly supported by Llew Meirion, and their names he had the honour to couple with the toast. For years they had worked together and a great deal of credit was due to them. Llew Meirion was always ready to give a sorg when asked, and he did so in a way that no other man could Ida (laughter).—Dew Meirion Your very good health, sir (renewed laughter).— This toast was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm. Mr 0 0 Roberts, in responding, said Professor Jones had found it very difficult to speak Oil the same subjects for the second time. Suppose he had to respond for the 15th time. He (Mr Roberts) had to do that (hear, hear, and a voice I hope it will be for another fifteen"). To him,therefore, the toast was getting stale (no, no). In regard to the toast he should like to say a word or two. First as to the choir. The Idris Choral Society '7 was a peculiar and a remarkable institution. It would surprise them to hear that it was an in- stitution which had no rules whatever, either written, or unwritten (laughter). It was peculiar in having a big secretary—(laughter) and a bigger treasurer (renewed laughter). It had two accompanists—Miss Blodwen Williams, who was always faithful, and Mr M W Griffiths, who made his appearance when he was inspired (loud Jaughtor). Another peculiarity of the society was that it had been for a long time, was now, but he hoped it would not be, in debt (laughter). That was not the fault of the Dolgelley people, but their own fault entirely. They did not ask for annual subscriptions in fact, they did not ask for any at all and therefore they did not get much, and the fault rested upon their own shoulders. Another peculiarity was that next week the Choral Society would attain its 28th birthday (loud laughter). In a small town like Dolgelley, with a comparatively small population, it was no mean thing to keep up a big society of that kind. He was very much struck the other day on finding that young men who had been members of the Society from their childhood, but who were now in South Africa, Canada, and the United States, turned out to be such useful men. Three of them were secretaries of prosperous choral societies. Mr J C Evans was the secretary at South Africa, and Mr Lewis Evans in Chicago. That society had lived for a long period, and he was glad to say it did not get old (hear, hear). It was to-day as vigorous, as enthu- siastic, and as yonng as the first night when it was established, and unless some unforeseen circum- stance would happen they would on Monday night have the pleasure of hearing what it could do. Referring to the Eisteddfod, he said that last year seven choirs sent in their names and six appeared on the platform. This year 12 choirs had entered, and he ventured to say that the 12 would appear on the stage. This showed that the people had confidence in Mr Bennett. Last year they selected a whole work for competition from Gouuod, and only one choir came forward. It was said that Wales was a "sea of song" (inor o gaii). There was some kind of a sea, but it was very shallow (laughter and no, no). The Cardiff Eisteddfod bad followed their good example last year. To do this was a great risk. For instauce, if they had selected the Hallelujah Chorus" there would be perhaps twenty choirs, but what better would they be ? He considered that the rendering given by that choir far better than a competition between 10 or 15 choirs on the "Halleluiah Chorus." In the other sections the Eisteddfod had kept its good name. For the chief essay there were six competitors, and the poorest was full worthy of the prize. As to the chair subject, Tafolog—the adjudicator of Wales—said the successful competitor was alone in merit, and he felt certain the winner would prove himself to be a new bard. He (Mr Roberts) hoped he would prove to be a new star for Wales (ap- plause).—Llew Meirion also responded. He said that no other place ia Wales could boast of such a successful society as the Jdris Choral Society. Its existence for 28 years was mainly due to Mr Roberts, the conductor, and to the fact that they did not meet for the purpose of competing at local Eisteddfodau for small awards, but with the object of learrnng classical music from the works of the great masters. It was simply wonderful that young men and young women travelled ten or n twelve miles twice a week for the purpose of attending the practices, but such was the case (hear, hear).—A song was given by Mr E A Williams, after which the Chairman expressed his pleasure at seeing Mr W R Davies amongst them agaiu. MR. BENNETT AND MR. BARRETT." Mr W R Davies proposed the health of Mr Bennett and Mr Barrett," extending to them a hearty welcome, and expressing a hope that they would be spared for many more years to come to Dolgelley.—Before the toast was drunk, the Presi- dent said that Mr Barrett had remarked to him that afternoon that he was suffering from a cold, and had it been a usual stage engagement he would have sent a substitute, but he could not for- get Eisteddfod Meirion. would have sent a substitute, but he could not for- get Eisteddfod Meirion. MrBennettthen responded. He said that the previous speakers had referred in patriotic terms to the Queen, with regard to her position as the head of a country which wielded authority over realms greater than the Romans, even in their wildest dreams, thought of. He was the other day, in the course of his duty, attending the perform- ance of "Elijah" in St George's Chapel, Windsor, and by the favour of Sir Walter Parrott he was privileged to have a seat in the organ gallery, where he could look into the nave, which was full with a congregation—he would not call it an audience- and with performers. In the other end, seated on a chair, was the venerable lady whom they all so revered and loved. She was there with a few attendants and with four of her grandchildren—a little family party, in itself, under the circum- stances, pathetic. The performance went on, and he rather feared that he attended more to the empty choir where Her Majesty was seated than to the crowded nave full of the performers of Elijah." It was a most pathetic sight, for at times it seemed as if the feelings which at the present juncture in the affairs of the country naturally arose in the English breast, seemed to have the best of her, for the lady with the grey hair and the downcast looks wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. She looked throughout the per- formance pale, anxious, and downcast; bub when 0 rest in the Lord" was sung, the tears ran down her venerable cheeks, and that, he thought, was just a touch of humanity which was above Royalty, which impressed him exceedingly, and he had made up his mind that on the next occasion when an opportunity afforded he would mention this incident (loud applause and a voice, "God Save Queen "). done so now, anl was glad that it bad evoked their sympathetic applause. With regard to the toast which they had so fully honoured, nothing gave him greater pleasure than to receive such tokens of their coutinued confidence. Somehow when Yule-tide came round he found his thoughts running down to Dolgelley. (Mr 0 0 Roberts: Naturally). It must be naturally or it would not happen without interruption year after year. He seemed to have formed a habit of think- ing about Dolgelley and coming down there (hear, hear). He felt himself a kind of a pilgrim, and because of their welcome and the pleasure it afforded him he was not going to give up until his pilgrimage was completed. When they told him that they did not want him he should stop (Voices Never). He, however, would still come to the meetings, even if he had to pay for his ticket (laughter). He would buy a reserved seat in the stalls at, the Town Hall and would listen to all their doings (applause). With reference to the Eisteddfod and to the Idris Choral Society he was very glad to hear from Mr Roberts, who was not a violent optimist, that in spite of some drawbacks the prospects were good. He was very pleased that the Idris Choral Society went on so very well. He knew something about Choral Societies in Wales and England. Some were much larger than any- thing they could show at Dolgelley and did remark- able things, but he was bound to say without flattery and without exaggeration that he had never met a Choral Society more enthusiastic, and, having reg-ard to the advantages the members enjoyed, he had never met with a Choral Society more able in the rendering of music that was really good (loud applause). He had often been sitting on the platform looking at the choir with something akin to surprise at the way they sang, with vigour and discretion, the work they had learnt. That was, he believed, something of which the conductor, the secretary, and the officers and members of the society should be and were entitled to be, thoroughly proud, and he trusted that as long as the present direction continued it would go on from success to success (applause). With regard to the condition of music in Wales generally he would not say much at that late hour (voices Go on). The other day he met his good friend, Mr Dd Jenkins, Aberystwyth, in Manchester, who said that the National Eisteddfod suffered very much from limiting its efforts to examinations and not to education. Mr Jenkins was not the man who would, without grave reasons, fly in the face of established customs by which he, as they were aware, obtained his living. A man would not without good reason cut the ground from under him and run the risk of diminishing his banking account (applause). Still he was delighted with his boldness, and what he had said he (Mr Bennett) believed was the truth. He quite agreed with Mr Jenkins that the Eistedd- fod was not doing all it could do under proper conditions. It was an examining body. He wanted to see it made an educational body (hear, hear). By that he did not mean that the officers of the Eisteddfod as professors under its direction should go about teaching boys and girls. That was the duty of the Elementary Schools, but he did think that the Eisteddfod might organise a system of secondary oducation. That was the great need of Wales. It was not the children were not taught but they did not follow it up and when they reached the state of manhood and womanhood they found they did not go any further. That he believed was perfectly true. He had watched the state of music in Wales and he found there was not the essential progress they required. They did not get enough out of them considering the musical aptitude of the people. That he insisted upon because they saw from year to year, from decade to decade, the same sort of thing going on. Some choirs wasted five or six months to learn one piece. They in Wales had an institution which had the confidence of the people, which belonged to its traditions, and which carried authority wherever it went. Was it possible to see organised a branch of that institution which would give secondarv education in music all over Wales by good teachers. Some 12 or 15 years ago he (Mr Bennett) had suggested the formation of a society to be called the National Musical Institution of Wates. It was taken up to some extent and a meeting was held at Shrewsbury where the matter was considerad, but he was sorry to say that nothing came of it. The thing evaporated and they continued as before Why not rise the Eisteddfod in some way to organise a system of secondary education in music in Wales ? If thp>v did that it was probable, nay, almost certain that with their musical aptitude the Welsh people would do far more than they do now. Let them think of this. Some people might say to him Why do you trouble about Wales? mind your own business, and look at home." He did look at home. In instrumental music England was far ahead of Wales. However, the Welsh people had it in them. In music imagination was a great thing. In Wales they had the quickness of feeling and the sensitiveness which they lacked in England, and because of this they could not spare the Welsh people, and they wanted to make the best use of them. Wales was the chosen field, the fertile land (applause). He believed that, if they attended to his suggestions, Wales would do far more than she had done in the past, and would be amongst them a musical garden(loud applause). Mr Barrett and Mr W Evans, Edgbaston, Bir- mingham, also responded. The latter asked if it was not possible for the Eisteddfod Meirion to give a prize, say of £5, to a choir who would compete at some local Eisteddfod previous to the Meirion Eis- teddfod, on conditions that they came to that Eisteddfod also If his suggestion was adopted he believed in was possible to get local choirs to learn complete works and not a single piece.—Dr Hugh Jones proposed the health of the President and Vice-presidents, and referred in the course of his remarks to the war now raging in South Africa. He hoped that before next year the British flag would be hoisted at Pretoria (applause). Llew Meirion having sung" Father O'Flynn," the Pre- sident and Vice-president responded.—The rendering of the Welsh and British National songs and Old Lang Syne" brought the interesting proceedings to a close.

-. llEYIEWsT

MEIRION CHAIR EISTEDDFOD.

MORNING MEETING.