KAIKORAI BAND

Evening Star, Issue 17149, 16 September 1919, Page 2

KAIKORAI BAND

ANNUAL MEETING. The 38t'h annual meeting of the Ivaikorai Band was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Roslyn, laet night, the president (Mr W. Dawson) in the oliair. The annual report (the first since the conclusion \t( tho war) stated that, in common with other organisations, the band had suffered cxmsiderably through the enlistment of tho whole of the members eligible for -active service; but they were all back now, and were just as keen memtiers of the band as they were when tho call came in. 1914. Tt was with Tegret that the death of Bandsman A. Lamb while on active service was recorded. Other losses the band 'had sustained during the past year were the deaths of Mr J. A. O'Brien and Mir 0. B. Laid'law. The baud had mustered for practices and parades 141 times, and on onlv two occasions a direct fee had been received. Practices had been very well attended. The active membership of the band was now 34. Several experienced players from other districts had joined the ranks during the period under review. During the. year several performances had been given in tlic cause of charity, and a large sum. of money had been collected in this direction. Two "concerts had been given at Milton in April in add of the local Sildiers' Club. and as a result- £B4 had been netted. The question of renovating uniforms and providing a number of new ones had 'been troubling the committee for some time, as, owing to the heavy expense involved, and the extireme difficulty experienced in getting the necessary material, it was ■pmctically impossible'to do anything. It wa-s imperative that something should be done, so they had trusted to the generosity of the public to provide the necessary funds, nnd they now had in hand sufficient money to nearly cover the whole of tlio cost. The balance-sheet disclosed a very satisfactory position. Attention was drawn to the very meagre subsidy allowed to the bands by the City Corporation. In former years the allowance was £25 to each band. Thia eyar. however, the allowance was only £2l 8s 7d. At one of the meetings of the Peace Celebrations Committee thanks were dealt out to several individual and musical organisations, but never a word of thanks to the bands. Considering tho vast amount of work done by the bands, thev were at least deserving of a word of thanks. Mr W. Dawson (president), owing to indifferent health, had not been amongst them in his 'official capacity during hi 3 term of office, but ih-o had always been very sympathetic, and had taken a lively interest in the welfare of the >band. Mr T. B. Fairbavrn-, tlhe immediate past president, had been as energetic as ever. The success 'of the band from a musical standpoint was entirely due to tho conductor's (Mr H. F. t>avie) painstaking methods.

Mr T. B. Fairbairn: (past president) said that the report and balance-sheet were most comprehensive, and reflected the highest credit on the committee. Mr Fairbairn went on to say that that was the 38th annual report. It was a wonderful record for a private band. Ho believed it waa the oldest band 'in the Dominion. During the war the band had sent avray 18 members. Of these, three had paid the supreme sacrifice. Also, during the year tire band had lost an honored and respected late bandmaster, Mr G. B. Laidlaw. The band had always lots of friend;?. Messrs Speight and Co." and Mr George Thomson we're good friends to the band, always ready to help. It was about 15 years since the band had new ■uniforms, and just now it was impossible to renew them; also, they would cost aibout £lO apiece. l He regretted to state tli&t the seoretary (Mr Baa-ton) had handed in his resignation. Mr Barton had, put in six years' "strenuous service with the band, and ho" had always had the welfare of the band at heart. He moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr W. Dawson (president) seconded the motion. He said he was very pleased to sea they had such, a good .report. He thought" it was a disgrace that the council did not subscribe more to the various hands. He hoped the band would keep up their poodi reputation, and expressed himself always ready to help in any way possible. The motion was carried. The fcllowhiff office-bearers were elected,: —.President, Mr AY. Dawson;_ vice-pre*d-deots—Messrs T. B. Fairbairn, J. D. Hunter, R. Bennell, J. Lauren-son. G. Davie, J. J. Oiark, AY. AYarters, J. H. F. Hamel, .T. A. Haggitt, D. Reid, C. AY. Kdng, G. AY. M'lntosh, C. Taylor, I>.

MTherson, L. Kemnitz, E-. S. Wardrop, A. Hudson, E. Kerr. I>. Hoyd, E. Schnack, R. Greenslade, W. T. MUwu-rd, C Speight, W. Bogg, find A. Wright; Messrs J. D. Hunter,, T. B. Fan-bairn, and H. F. Davie; conductor, Mr H. V. Davie; sergeant,- Mr D. Whelam 5 secretary, Mr G. Mrilward; treasurer, Mr T. Tyrrell; committee —Messrs A. Stewart. J. Fogarty, T. Mitchel 1 , F. Barton, W. Pennyouiek, and J. Ciirrie; Music. Ccmmittee —Messrs C. Eades, H. F. Davie, and D. Whelim ; custodians, Messrs R. Farquharson and A. Angolo. It was decided to increase the conductor's stipend. It was unanimously resolved that- the band give at least two Sunday concerts in the district.

After tho general business a pleasant social evening was spent, when toasts were honored (including tho 'oval toast and "The President") and various musical •item 3 given.