COROMANDEL BAND

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32519, 20 December 1944, Page 6

COROMANDEL BAND

ANNUAL MEETING HELD ELECTION OF OFFICERS SOUND FINANCIAL" POSITION The annual meeting of the Coromandel Silver Band was held in the band room on Thursday/November 23 Mr T. H. Barrett presiding. An apology for absence from the bandmaster Mr A. J. McNeil owing to ill health, was received.

The balance sheet which showed a credit balance of £59 15s Od was read and adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patron, Mr James Thorn, M.P. (re-elected); president, Mr T. H. Barrett (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs Lucas, McKenzie, Cleave, W. J. Gamble, Powley and Mrs Fisher, all re-elected, and Mr E. W. Gilliver also elected; bandmaster, Mr A. J. McNeil (re-elected); deputy bandmaster, Mr Roni McNeil (re-elected)'; secretary, Mr Ron Davies (re-elected); treasurer, Mr T. H. Barrett (re-elected); band sergeant, Mr Jack Hoyle (re-elected); band corporal, Mr Eric Gamble (reelected); hon. auditor, Mi’ P. Beveridge (re-elected); librarian, Mr B. Shandley.

The re-elected! officers suitably spoke a few words, assuring their continued services in the interests of the band.

A vote of thanks was passed' to Mr P. Beveridge for acting as honorary auditor, and' it was resolved* that a letter of appreciation of his past services be sent to him.

A committee comprising Messrs R. McNeil, L. Davies, C. Darling, E. Gamble, H. Dear, B. Shandley, N. Davies, T. F. Barrett and J. Hoyle were elected.

The trustees, Messrs G. Cleave, W. J. Gamble and S. N. Ward were reelected.

The public representatives, Messrs W. H. Turner and F. Strongman were re-elected.

It was resolved that the annual social take the same form as last year and be held in December. The annual dance will be held at Christmas' and the annual picnic at Long Bay on New Year’s Day. A special vote of thanks was accorded Mr V. Powley for his yeoman work and fine efforts with the young players. Mr Powley suitably replied, and paid tribute to the fine efforts and assistance of Mr K. Notman during the period he had been instructing the young players.

SUCCESSFUL YEAR

REVIEW BY THE PRESIDENT

“At the end of this year the roll book shows a total of 26 members which is an increase on that of last year. Three members are serving overseas. Attendances have been very good throughout,” stated the report of the president presented at the annual meeting of the Coromandel Silver Band.

“The efforts of Mr Powley in giving musical instruction to the members of the school band are deeply appreciated and several players have grad-

uated to the ranks of the band during the year. “New music for the band was provided through the efforts of Mr Sutcliffe, bandmaster of the Thames Citizens’ Band who wrote several copies of suitable pieces for the Coromandel Band. This music was played by the two bands when the Thames Band visited Coromandel recently—an event which was a great success. “The proceeds of various performances were donated to the patriotic fund. It is hoped that Coromandel will be given the opportunity to again welcome the Thames Band in the not too distant future.

■“The band has given many public performances during the year, welcome home dances for returned servicemen have been attended whenever possible; church parades have been attended at the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, the usual Christmas Eve programme was carried out, also the Anzac D'ay Parade and playing at the service. The social and dance which the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union put on annually was' again a great success and the proceeds' as shown in the treasurer’s report were donated to band funds.

‘‘‘The band’s annual social and dance at which the parents, wives and friends of the bandsmen are the guests was held in December last and they were given the opportunity of hearing the younger and older members playing together. The Boxing Night dance was well attended and the proceeds were very satisfactory. The New Year’s Day picnic was held at Long Bay and was favoured with fine weather and the collection for the sports was very good.

“During the year an anonymous donor presented three handsome trophies for competition among the members) of the band, chiefly the younger ones. It will give the judges a good deal of thought to award these trophies to the most worthy competitors.

“In conclusion I wish to thank all members of the band from the bandmaster to the newest recruit for their most loyal support shown to me as president throughout the year, also to all who have in many ways assisted the band.”