MUNICIPAL BAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 April 1934, Page 5

MUNICIPAL BAND

REPORT FOR PAST YEAR The following is the report of the secretary (Mr. J. Henderson) Which will be presented at the annual meeting of the Greymouth Municipal Band: — In presenting the annual report for the year ended March 31, 1934, it is With the deepest regret that I have to record the death of our President, Dr. Mcßrearty, who died on February 20. The loss of such a splendid’ personality was a great blow to the Band, but we are pleased that he lived to his Band extricate themselves from their difficulties. It is the intention of the Band to secure an drilarged photograph of Dr. Jim to place in the bandroom. This, suitably inscribed, will keep him in our memory at all times. The' progress of the band during the year has.. been very' satisfactory; Financially we are in-a sound position. Tlie balance' sheet reveals assets of .£ll-23/13/0, of whicli- approximately £ 130 is cash. in bank; Our liabilities are nil. We are greatly 1 ’ itideUfed to dur honorary members, who' have agkiri giveri us the staunchest' support. During the year we endeavoured to institute a regular series of wireless concerts. Unfortunately, the hall proved unsuitable for broadcasting and we were reluctantly forced’ to . abandon the project. Prior to the busiest part of the year, Mr. W. Garth was, through illness, compelled to rest, but we were fortunate in possessing a capable bandmaster, who successfully filled the breach. We are very grateful to the New Brighton Band, who kindly lent us some modern music, which two of our members, F. Grieg and A. Smith, re-wrote for use at our engagements. All picnic committees and the Surf and Swimming Clubs congratulated us on our choice of music. We supported the Mayor’s Relief of Distress appeal to the extent of £lO, and regret that our finances at that time did not allow us to do more. During the year, programmes were rendered at the Hospital, Convent, and the parks. A series of concerts was also given in the Band Rotunda, and 1 these drew large and appreciative audiences; On Sunday, April 8, at a special meeting presided over by Cr. J. B. Kent, and which Cr. J. McGinley also attended, we appointed Mr. Francis, of Westport, as conductor, at a salary of £lOO per annum. If we intend contesting next February, it behoves the incoming Committee immediately to settle down to ways and means- of raising finance. Although w’e have received permission from the Borough Council to proceed with the purchase of new uniforms, the matter is still only in the inquiry stage, as it is not the intention of the Band to run into debt to obtain same. We thank all the artists Who assisted uS at our concerts, a special word of thanks being due to Mr. Hi G. Deane for the use of a piano. We have invited a prominent and well-known gentleman to accept the position rendered vacant by the death of Dr. Jim, and have received an acceptance. In conclusion, we sincerely thank the “Greymouth Evening Star” and the “Grey River Argus,” for the courtesy they have always shown us.