NAPIER CITY BAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 11096, 13 December 1898, Page 3

NAPIER CITY BAND.

A meeting of those interested in tl wolfavo of tho City Band was hold at t Masonic Jlotol last evening, when the was a good attondanco. Mr J. V. Broi (prosidonfc) occupied tlio chair, .11 amongst thoso present were tho May (Mr Swan), Mr R. D. D. M'Lean, M.II. (patron), Mr T. Tanner (vice-patron), I N. Kettle (vice-president), a letter apology being received from Mr J. Coleinan for non-attendance, The object of the meeting was to 1 before the officers of the band and othi interested the financial position. 1' band had got into difliculties through late secretary levanting with about S, ,of thoir funds. It was stated that t band was ,£2l in debt, and the auni ; expenses to carry them on amounted . \ £42, The meeting was called to dcv

some means to place the baud in a more satisfactory position. After discussion, Mr Tanner proposed that a committee be formed to canvas the town for the purpose Of procuring honorary members, and that a meeting be called subsequently to report progress. He suggested that the band should keep themselves before the public by frequently giving concerts. He also proposed that on the subscription lists be printed the amount of thD band's expenditure for a year. Mr Kettle seconded, and said he was greatly in favor of the Borough Council subsidising tho band, though for the present they would have to be satisfied in collecting subscriptions to pay off the liability, and then try and adopt som3 scheme by which the Council should give a subsidy. On this point Mr Tanner offered to interview the Borough solicitors as to the Council's power in the matter. Mr M'Leanj referring to the honorary membership, did not consider that it was altogether right that the -wealthy alone should be asked to assist, and thought the general publio should do their share towards the support of the band. Tho Chairman thought it would be a good idea that where an honorary member gave an annual subscription of, say, three guineas, he should have the services of the band for one night in the year at his private residence. It was resolved that ono guinea subscription entitle a contributor to honorary membership s that a general subscription list bo opened, with the view to wiping off the deficiency j that an honorary committee, consisting of the patron, vico-patron, presidont and vice-presi-dent, and trustees, to assist the band in carrying out these suggestions be formed ; and that Mr Coleman be asked to accept the position of vice-president.' A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.