1845—December 19—A very sharp contest for the office of secretary to the Infirmary, in the room of Mr. T. H. Wheeler, deceased, between Mr. John Palmer, proposed by Mr. Curtler and Dr. Hastings—and Mr. D. W. Nash, proposed by the Rev. T. Pearson and Mr. John Parker. Mr. Nash had 216 votes, and Mr. Palmer 169.
1846—March 28—At the quarterly meeting of the governors, the committee appointed, on the motion of Mr. Curtler, to inquire into an alleged laxity of attendance on the part of the medical officers of the institution, and ill conduct of its general business, presented their report. Mr. Curtler, however, had not attended the meetings of the committee, because the medical officers all insisted on their right to be present; and several complaints, therefore, had not been brought before them. The charges, in most of the cases investigated, seemed to be disproved; but of the beneficial effect the inquiry had in the improved management of the institution there can be no doubt. Mr. Curtler obtained another committee, to revise the whole of the rules of the institution.
1846—June 26—A quarterly meeting of the governors held in the Nisi Prius Court, at the Shire Hall, with John Williams, Esq., in the chair. The medical men connected with the institution offered great opposition to a motion of Mr. Curtler’s to exclude the subscribers from all meetings of committees, and give them leave only to attend the general quarterly boards; the object being to enable the governors to appoint select committees. Mr. Curtler supported the proposition, as the usual practice of all large bodies and institutions of this kind, and because inquiry into the affairs of the institution by a select committee became absolutely necessary, as the funds were being frittered away and the rules neglected. The medical men said the alteration was aimed at them, and sought their exclusion from the committees. They called select committees secret committees, and said the rules made with so much wisdom by their ancestors ought not to be altered. The medical men defeated Mr. Curtler’s resolution by 58 to 32.
1847—January 2—A quarterly meeting of the governors held at the Shire Hall, over which the Lord Bishop of the Diocese presided. Mr. Curtler moved for a select committee, on which only two of the medical officers of the institution should attend, to consider what alterations were necessary in the rules. The medical men insisted upon their right to be all present at the meetings of the committee, and only yielded when the majority of the meeting was evidently seen to be against them. They then agreed to a committee of nine gentlemen, reserving the right to delegate any two of their own body to act with them.
1847—March 27—At the quarterly meeting of the governors, Mr. Curtler’s committee for revising the rules of the institution presented their report. The medical men having given way, a great number of alterations were recommended, and power taken to appoint select committees, on which two of the medical officers should always serve. The other medical men of the city and neighbourhood were invited to witness operations; and the salary of Mr. Cole, the house surgeon, increased to £100 a year. Mr. Curtler mentioned—as one among other things showing how necessary inquiry had been—that the malt supplied to the institution was enough for twice the beer that was consumed within the walls, and that about thirty-three hogsheads annually disappeared out of the back door. The report was unanimously received.
1849—March 31—At the quarterly meeting of the governors it was determined that the £840 obtained from the sale of tickets at the Jenny Lind concert should be applied to the building of a chapel for the use of the patients. The Very Rev. the Dean added another £100; and it was principally to his exertions in obtaining what more was necessary in the way of funds, that the public and the patients owe the very pretty erection which is now attached to the back of the main building.
WORCESTER MUSICAL FESTIVALS.
The history of the origin of the meetings of the three choirs of Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester, does not belong to the nineteenth century. It will be sufficient here to say that the first took place in the year 1725 (when £48. 18s. was collected), and that they have gradually risen in importance, till, besides being the means of obtaining annually a very large sum for the support of the widows and orphans of the clergy, they have now taken a first place amongst the musical réunions of the kingdom, and have greatly aided in fostering the melodious science. It will be seen from the following brief notes of the festivals at Worcester, that the most celebrated singers have, from time to time, all taken a part in the performance here of the chief works of the great masters of music. In the seventeen meetings held here this century, upwards of £14,500 have been realised for the clergy’s widows and orphans.
1800—September 14—Seventy-seventh meeting of the three choirs. The festival this year occupied three days. The sermon was preached by Dr. James. The Messiah, Creation, Acis and Galatea, &c., performed. The principal novelty was the chorus in Handel’s Ode to St. Cecilia—“As from the Power.” Chief performers—Madame Mara and Miss Tennant; Messrs. Knyvett, Nield, and Bartleman. Amount collected for the charity, £468; and the receipts for tickets yielded a surplus of £250 in addition.
1803—September 27—Sermon by the Rev. H. Stillingfleet. Principal vocal performers—Mrs. Billington and Miss Fanny Ross; Messrs. Melville, Incledon, Bartleman, Nield, &c. The collections for the charity amounted to £501. 8s. The receipts were £2,630, and exceeded the expenses by £600.