Dear Dr. Smith,
I have not had time to reply to your note of the 18th. ult: but when I received it I could not recall any reference by anyone to the "competence" of the orchestra.. And certainly personally that has not been questioned.
Their assistance has always been welcomed + acknowledged, and I think the only "cold reception" your remarks received at the meeting was when you suggested a union of the two societies. This surely did not cast any reflection on their abilities, the matter which was not favourably received was one of management + organisation.