ST. KILDA BAND

Evening Star, Issue 21783, 27 July 1934, Page 5

ST. KILDA BAND

TRIP TO BALLARAT ABANDONED GENERAL DISAPPOINTMENT EXPRESSED Contrasting opinions on the abandonment of the trip to Ballarat to compete at the Melbourne Centenary hand contest were expressed at the St Kilda Municipal Band’s thirty third annual meeting last night, but. collectively, there was a strain of disappointment underlying the remarks. “It is regrettable that the trip had to be abandoned,’’ said Mr J. L. Cardiner (president). “We had a strong committee working in our interests, and there is no doubt but that we could have raised a fair sum toward our expenses However, conditions and circumstances were against our going. Declaring that it was a good tiling that the trip did not eventuate, Mr W. Yeoman (life member) said that the expense would be enormous, and they would bo unable to recover the amount for years. It was also his opinion that the band was not strong enough to compete against some of the present Australian bands. They should be satisfied to support the dominion contest in the meanwhile. Apart from the good the trip would have done the band itself, the education received by the bandsmen would have justified the trip, said the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox). The little he had done for the band so far seemed to have been a failure, but he added that his interests on its behalf were as strong as ever. During the social evening that followed the formal business of the meeting other speakers referred to the matter. and the consensus of opinion seemed to be that the band should have tried harder to make the trip to Ballarat. DECREASE IN FUNDS REPORTED. Congratulating the executive and members of the band themselces on another successful year, the President moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Considering the abnormal times which had been experienced, they had been fortunate to conclude the year with a credit balance. Receipts from rotunda concerts had been small and disappointing, and it was to be hoped that they could expect better collections in future. In spite of that set-back they could congratulate them selves, although their present position was mainly due to the efforts of the secretary (Mr A. G. Homer). The band was much in need of new uniforms, and there was no doubt the committee would make a special effort to raise the necessary finance, whilst the Band Contest Committee might be counted on to grant a substantial amount as a foundation for the fund

Twelve pounds for six engagements was a discouraging recompense for the band’s services, declared Mr W. Yeoman, who seconded the motion. At one time that amount would have been realised with one performance, but it seemed as though those days had gone. The most -reliable avenues of finance had been closed, as there'were to be no further Sunday entertainments. The question as to where funds were now to be raised would be a big matter for consideration. Where the money for the past year had come from was a mystery. and the committee, secretary, and treasurer were to be congratulated on their splendid efforts to place a satisfactory balance-sheet before the meeting. The speaker concluded by paying tribute to the librarian and custodian (Mr W Wallace). Because the band’s funds had decreased over the past year, that was no reason why members should become downhearted, said Mr G. J. Errington. who went on to refer to the band’s ex cellent work over a period of years He urged members to retain their enthusiasm, which, he said, would enable them to go on to further success, even more encouraging, than that attained in the past. He wished the band every success for the future. s The report and balance-sheet were adopted. OFFICE-BEARERS. The election of office-bearers resulted:—President, Mr J. L. Gardiner; vice-presidents—Messrs John Beattie (mayor) and St, Kilda councillors, F. W. Cleavin, J. D. Hunter, R. Maxwell, A. E. Moorhead, 0. G. Miller, E. 0. Begg, J. Loudon, R. MacLellan, E. Longworth, G. J. Errington, W. K. Cameron, A. Newall, A. Wardrop, H. Turley, J. Leech, and A. Chambers; conductor, Mr J. Dixon; deputy conductors, Messrs G. Christie and C. Miller; secretary, Mr A. G. Homer; treasurer, Mr W. L. Paterson; drummajor, Mr W. Donaldson; official accompanist, Miss Sybil Baker; librarian and custodian, Mr W. Wallace; auditor, Mr G Davidson; committee- — Messrs T. Williams, C. Miller, G. Christie, A. Harrod, W. Smith, and A. Winslade. The other toasts honoured were:— “ The Vice-presidents,” proposed by Mr W. Yeoman, and responded to by Messrs J. D. Hunter, G. J. Errington, W. K. Cameron, and A. E. Moorhead; “ The St Kilda Band,” proposed by Mr A. Newall and responded to by Mr G. Christie; “The Drum-major,” proposed by Mr A. G. Homer and responded to by Mr W. Donaldson; “ The Conductor,” proposed by Mr R. Jackson and responded to by Mr J. Dixon; and “The Secretary and Treasurer,” proposed by Mr G. J. Errington and responded to by Messrs A. G. Homer and W. L. Paterson. SOCIAL FUNCTION. Proposing the toast to “ The Mayor, the City Council, and the St. Kilda Borough Council ” at the social function held at the close of the formal business. Mr Gardiner said that the mayor was a man of dignity and ability. He had worked untiringly in the interests of the band, and had shown his practical sympathy toward its trip to Ballarat by attending every meeting of the committee set up to raise the funds. The mayor and councillors of St. Kilda also had taken an interest in the band’s welfare, and had done what the City Council had done—given an annual grant over many years fn reply, the Mayor said that he was sorry the baud had been unable to go to Australia. He admitted that his reason for having so much in common with the band was the fact that he had once been a bandsmen himself —a cornet player—although as such he had appeared in public only three times. It was due to the band going out of existence that he had not continued as a musician.

On behalf of the St. Kilda Council, Cr J. A. Carman said that it was unfortunate the band was unable to visit Ballarat. A strong committee had been formed at St. Kilda to assist, and it was a pity the public’s support had not been more generous at such a time, because the band waft a credit to the city as a whole, and not merely to the borough from which it took its name “ The President,” was proposed by the Mayor, who congratulated the band on having appointed Mr Gardiner to the position. He was a man of sterling character, and no one could cavil at anything a man of his ability and

integrity might do on behalf of the hand. His appointment as president was a recognition of his worth as a citizen. Replying, Mr Gardiner promised that du ring his term of office he hoped to accomplish what was expected of him.