AMALGAMATION OF BANDS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 29 March 1935, Page 11

AMALGAMATION OF BANDS

KAPONGA AND ELTHAM

EXECUTIVE MAKES RECOMMENDATION

A recommendation that owing to the fact that many, players have left the district the band go into recess until more players are available was passed at a. meeting, of the executive of the Laponga Brass Band, held at the Kaponga Town Hall on Thursday evening- , . Air C. H. Brewer presided and there were present: Messrs P. Thonmine (conductor), IC Williams, Iv. Albon, R. Paseoe, J". Tattersall, F. Albon, C. A. Corder and L. A. Wells (secretary). The. resolution is to be submitted, -o a general meeting of the band on April 5 It was further recommended that all, instruments and uniforms be recovered and stored meanwhile. Dining the discussion it was stated that attempts to establish learners’ classes had not been very- successful, the interest of members not being sustained. Another factor influencing the decision to go into recess was.the continued indifferent health of the conductor (Mr Thoumine). Subsequently the meeting received a deputation from the Eltham Brass Band consisting of Air Ira J. Bridger (Mayor of Eltham and president of the Eltham Band), Alessrs G. W. Peebles, F. L. Egan and H. Drabble. In thanking the meeting for the welcome extended by the chairman, Air Peebles said they had learned of the plight of the Kaponga band and had come to put certain proposals to them regarding a temporary amalgamation of the two hands or some other similar arrangement. The Eltham band, as well’ as the people of Eltham, would, he felt sure, heartily welcome any Kaponga players who desired to join up with the Eltham band. He referred to the fact that the Kaponga instruments, if the necessary authority 'of the Town Board could be obtained, would be better maintained if kept in use than they would be if stored away. The assistance from a number ;of Kaponga players would result in a strong band being formed in Eltham and the combination could perhaps journey to Kaponga to play at special functions as required.

f Mr Bridger expressed sympathy with the Kaponga Band in the position it had found itself, but assured them that they were not. alone in their troubles. Many of the Taranaki bands at some time or other had been in the same predicament. Eltham would welcome the Kaponga players as full members of that band iintTT' such time as they, were able to reform their own band. The players would benefit as a result of the amalgamation and would thus be able to maintain their musical interest. He referred to the capabilities of Air B. Beesley, the Eltham •conductor, and said that he was sure ‘nothing would ‘be lacking in their musical training. Eltham had some 15 players and with the addition of a number of Kaponga players, the two towns could thus “pull together” and form one. really good band. He hoped Kaponga would receive, with favour the proposals and he. assured them they would be heartily welcomed by the Eltham bandsmen. He .also referred to the desire of EKham to compete- at the Dominion Band Contest at New Plymouth next year. Mr Drabble also expressed regret at Kaponga’s difficulty. There was no question of Eltham wanting to “steal” players from Kaponga, Their proposals only held in the event of Kaponga not being able to carry on. The Eltham hand committee had fully discussed the matter and Kaponga players would be received into the band on the same basis as Eltham members. Some arrangement would require to be made regarding transport for the weekly practices, hut he felt that this could be managed. It ivould, perhaps, be possible for the Eltham band to stage a concert in, Kaponga as a nucleus of a fund for this purpose. The chairman thanked the Eltham visitors for placing the proposals before them. Good feeling had always existed between the two bands and the towns, for that matter, and he believed that there was a possibility of the proposals being favourably received by the band if it was found impossible to carry on. 1 Ah* Peebles replied, stating that he had noted with pleasure the chairman’s remarks regarding the pleasant relations between the two hands and the towns of Eltham and Kaponga.

The deputation withdrew, and subsequently it was resolved that in the event of the general meeting deciding that the band go into recess, as many players as possible be asked to join up with the Eltham band.