THE HASTINGS BAND

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 106, 19 April 1932, Page 4

THE HASTINGS BAND

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING A VERY SUCCESSFUL YEAR SOUND FINANCIAL POSITION There was a full muster of bandsmen and supporters at the annual meeting of the Hastings Citizens’ Band, held at the bandroom last evening. His Worship the Mayor, Mr G. F. Roach, presided, and associated with him were members of the borough council, and the officials of the band. THE ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report and balance-sheet as read and adopted, stated inter-alia: “We have much pleasure in presenting to you the annual report for the year ending March 31, 1932, and in doing so have to congratulate the band on its very successful year. “The balance-sheet shows that the band is now in a very sound financial position. The over-draft at the bank now stands at £23 17s 2d, with assets totalling £1255 13s sd; thua showing a credit of £1231 16s 3d. During the year, the band attended rehearsals, engagements and concerts (12 of which were given as subsidies), on 114 occasions.

“Tho gold medal presented by the band for the best attendance resulted in a tie between Bandsmen G. Ashton and C. Wiggins, who were each absent on three occasions. We must congratulate them on this achievement.

The membership has been fully maintained, and we are very pleased to welcome a new member in Bandsman Feek, whom we trust will be with us for many years to come. In February of this year, the band attended the championships at Wellington with outstanding success. Tho placings gained were as follows; in the order in which they were held: —Second in “B” grade quickstep (lost by i point), third in Open Hymn test (in this event the band competed against five “A” grade bands, as well as all the “B” grade), second in first test selection, first in second test selection, first in aggregate, a total of £lOO prize money. We may mention in passing that this is the best contest record in the band’s history “This was, undoubtedly, a very creditable performance, and the conductor, Mr C. Bryant, must be heartily congratulated on his very fine musical achievement. It is worthy of note that at the last three contests the band has shown marked upward tendency, and, taking this as a standard, there is no reason why the band should not reach the “A" grade at Christchurch next year.

“Drum-Major J. R. Dunnett is also to be congratulated on winning the gold medal presented by the contest executive for highest military points in the quickstep. “We wish to thank His Worship the Mayor and the members of the borough council for their sincere interest in the band’s affairs and especially the two representatives on the band’s executive. Crs. Henderson and Donovan. “The band is now in excellent form and we sincerely hope that this high state of efficiency will be maintained during the coming year. On the band’s performance at the hist three er" '' ■

we see no reason why we should not renr-at these nt Christchurch in 1933, under the baton of our most efficient conductor, Mr. C. Bryant.” His Worship, ii- commenting on the very satisfactory state of affairs as revealed in the report, congratulated the band on its performance, making special reference to tho success achieved at the contest at Wellington. Ho also spoke in eulogistic terms of tho conductor, Mr C. Bryant, paying a special tribute to the sterling services ho had rendered on all occasions. His Worship referred in congratulatory terms to the tuition of Mr J. R. Dunnett, stating that his scr vices had been a groat asset to the band.

THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Tho election of officers resulted as follows:—

Patron, Mr E. Ncwbigin; president, the Mayor (Mr G. F. Roach); vice-pres idents, The Rev. Father J. Stewart, Dr. Bathgate, Dr. Cashmore, Messrs F. Perrin, M. B. Peat, E. O’Meara,. G. A. Maddison, A. Giorgi. A. Christie, J. Unwin, senr., J. A. Donne, H. C. Baird, J. Bewley. D. Newbigin, A. Grenside, F. L. Bone, G. McKay, C. Briggs, V. H. Westerman, W. Wilson, T. Honnor, F. J Tonkin, G. Husheer, W. A. Timms, S. R Standing, S. G. McKee, E. H. Culver. C. Bennett, P. Higgins, E. A. Wester man, T. J. Thompson, J. Holt, D. R McLean, J. Gardiner, T. Reancy, J. M. Cameron, W. C. Whitlock, G. L. Darvcll. F. Donnelly, A. M. Brodie; citizens’ committee, Messrs E. A. West, P. Higgins, A. W. Herbert, F. Young, G. O’Leary, J. Stickland, J. Stinnear, H. Unwin, J. Watt, A. Brooker, W. Lord. F. Berry, G. Britten, F. Lancaster, A. L. Baker; members of the borough council; conductor, Mr C. Bryant; see retary, Mr R .G. Unwin; treasurer, Miss Craig; honorary solicitor. Mr A. S. Ton kin; honorary auditor, Mr A. Newton. GENERAL BUSINESS. Bandsmen G. Ashton and C. Wiggins, who shared the honours for best attend ance and general good conduct, were each made the recipients of a gold medal, Mr Roach complimenting them on their excellent performances. A presentation was also made to Sergeant Blackort of an enlarged photo graph of the Masterton Citizens’ Band, for which band Sergeant Blackert played at the recent contest in Wellington. Accompanying the photograph was a silver pencil and a letter of appreciation from the conductor of the Masterton Band. Cr. M. Cohr proposed a very sincere vote of thanks to the citizens of Hastings for the splendid manner in which they had supported tho band on all occasions, and instanced the band’s deep appreciation of that support. THE SMOKE CONCERT. At the conclusion of the general meeting a smoke concert was held and the following toasts were honoured: — “The King,” “The Conductor, Mr C. Bryant,” proposed by Bandsman A. Brooker; “Citizenr' Committee,” proposed by Bandsman .7. G. Blackort and responded to by Mr ]•'. ,T. Tonkin; “The Band’s Officers,” proposed by Mr W, A. Tims and replied to by Mr IL J. Unwin, tho secretary; “The Mayor and Hastings Borough Council.’ proposed by Bandsman Rawlinson ami replied tn by the. Mayor. Cr, I’. M. Cohi and cx-Cr. S. J, McKee; “Kindred

Societies,” proposed by Bandsman E. Sawyer and replied to by Mr M. B. Pent and Serg-Major G, O’Leary; “The Press,” proposed by th' chairman. Musical items wore contributed ns follow: — Recitation, Bandsman C. Batt; songs, Bandsman A. Boyle anq Mr J. Stinnear; selections, the bund orchestra.