PONSONBY BOYS' BAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 141, 15 June 1923, Page 7

PONSONBY BOYS' BAND.

STXTH ANNUAL MEETING. The sixth annual meeting of the Ponsonby Boys' Btas3 Band (incorporated), was held in the All Saints' Schoolroom last evening. There were about 200 present and Dr. T. W. Leys was in the chair. The secretary in his report stated that never in the history of the society had the work of the past year been equalled. While the practical work might not be very much more than that of last year, the organised schemes afoot that would be put into effect in the forthcoming year surpassed anything ever attempted before. It was well worth noting that the amount of money owned by the band totalled £233, the remainder having been accounted for by society workers. The number of paid engagements fulfilleel for the year totalled tbe average of 1.52 per week, in addition to which there were two band practices per week. The band toured the North and South Islands of New Zealand, calling at no less than fourteen towns. The only means by which the committee had hoped to reimburse the society funds for the costly expense connected with the undertaking was by collections in each town. It was, however, fortunate in having the moral and financial support of the Rotary Club, and this was a big factor in the success of the tour. The committee were facing a big hurdle this coming year in view of the fact that more instruments at a cost of £700 would be needed, also a new set of uniforms, £200. An appeal was made for the urgent financial assistance of the Ponsonby people. Even' endeavour was being made to take the band to Australia next Christmas, but the secretary mentioned that this would be absolutely impossible but for the Rotary Club, wbo were negotiating at the present time with their Australian brothers. The three factors of the success of the movement were successful organising, untiring efforts of society workers and the greatest of all, the mutual bond of understanding existing amongst the committee, conductor and boys. In conclusion, if the parents, together with Ponsonby residents, would only co-oper-ate with the movement the limits of success in the future would be boundless. The financial report showed a credit balance of £482 3/1. The amount oE money actually handled during the year was £12io 18/3. The chairman congratulated the committee on the sticcessful results shown for the past year, and said that the parents had reason to be proud of the movement in general, which could not be left on better shoulders* than those of the executive, the majority of whom had been in office since the band's inauguration. The following officers were elected:—■ President, Dr. T.W. Leys; hon. trea- ( surer, Mr. T. Vivian;-hon. secretary. Mr. A. G. Brown; executive committee, ! Messrs. R. Francis. W. Lust v. W. Saxon, , .W. Skinner, W. 'Skeates, W. Jackson, . R. Brown, J. Arneil. A hearty vote of thanks was extended . to Dr. Leys for preHrlinGf over the meeting, anel this was carried by acclama- ( tion. The latter part of the evening took the form of a social gathering. [ when hand selections and other talented items were given.