GARRISON BAND

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 112, 11 April 1929, Page 2

GARRISON BAND

FINANCIAL POSITION. CONCLUSION OF YEAR. The Garrison Band committee at its final meeting for the year last evening considered the financial position of the band and approved of the annual report and estimated expenditure and receipts for next year as drafted by the chairman, Mr M. H. Oram. These will be presented to the annual meeting. Also present were Messrs H. J. Canton, J. H. Dick, W. Boon, R. Shackleton, F. J. Oakley and W. C. Loudon. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Mounsey, Ward and Carmichael. The secretary presented a statement of accounts for the past year showing that the bank overdraft was now £762 3s 6d, an increase of £3O 7s lOd, the loss on the year’s working. On the other hand, there was a satisfactory credit balance as regards assets and liabilities of £331. The chairman pointed out that the committee was not getting ahead. When they took office the bank overdraft had been £695 15s Bd, while now, it was £726 3s 6d, an increase of about £3O, while there were outstanding liabilities to the amount of £ll2 16s 6d. There was, however, a satisfactory position revealed in the balancesheet which showed a surplus of assets over liabilities of £331. That was all right, but they would have to live within their means in the future. For that purpose, he had prepared a “budget” detailing the proposed expenditure and receipts for the ensuing year. CHAIRMAN’S “BUDGET.” In his budget, Mr Oram made the following provisions;— Receipts. —Engagements . £225, borough subsidy £250, garrison . subsidy £75, honorary members £SO, proceeds of two week-day concerts £SQ, proceeds of three Sunday concerts £2O, collections £lO, carolling £7O, contest concert's £75. Expenditure. —Conductor’s salary £250, members’ engagements £l3O, rent of Opera House £25, printing and advertising £2O, insurance £ls, rates £lO. interest and bank charges £6O, affiliation fees £5, gas and electric light £2O, honoraria £35, general expenses £25, contest expenses £2BO, repairs and maintenance £3O, reserve uniform fund £25, outstanding liabilities £ll2 16s 6d. In a brief explanation, Mr Oram said that they should make a canvass for honorary members and he would suggest that these be charged 10s 6d each and allowed two tickets for two concerts or about twelve shillings worth, each. He had estimated that, the proceeds of each concert, apart from the honorary members,, would be about £25, not allowing for the rent ot the Opera House. He had suggested holding three Sunday concerts which would produce at least £2O and there should bo £2O , from the six Sunday recitals. Properly handled, carolling should bring in £7O. If they held contest concerts, the revenue from them should be £75. Coming to the expenditure side, there was one item which needed explanation and_that was a uniform reserve fund. They did not want to find themselves m the position, as they had last year, ot getting sufficient funds.to replace uniforms in one year. Spread over a period ot eight years this fund would reach the amount required" The position was that tile estimated' expenditure was £1042 16s 6d and the estimated revenue £825, leaving a balance of £22/ 16s 6d’ to be raised by Spedial efforts. , ANNUAL REPORT: • Mr Oram then read his draft of the annual report as follows:—The committee is able at last to chromole substantial progress. Undoubtedly the most important event during the year was the appointment of Mr E. Franklin, of the Kaikorai Band, to the position of conductor. The improvement in the band in every department and the way it has gone up in the public esteem, testifies more than any ‘comment the committee can make in justification of this, appointment. The baud, the report proceeded, took part in the annua! contest in \V anganui in February and, while it did not reach the prize list in any event, nevertheless acquitted itself with distinct credit, especially in view of the short time that Mr Franklin had control of the band. A most pleasing feature was that by their smart • appearance and general behaviour as well as by their playing, the members of the band worthily represented the town. During the year, a campaign was held to raise funds amounting to £ISOO. The result was distinctly disappointing, only about £267. being raised. There was a general lack of helpers to carry tlie scheme through but, nevertheless, it could not be regarded from any point of view as a successful effort. During tlie year the committee decided to equip members of the band with. new uniforms. From the comments and opinions that .had been received, it seemed clear that the new uniforms had met with distinct approval. A perusal of the balancesheet showed that during the year the band had not quite held its own financially, notwithstanding the receipt of a subsidy of £250 from the Borough Council. The largest items were the provision of new uniforms and contest expenses. There was also an amount of £ll2 for accounts outstanding, a considerable portion of which was taken over by the committee when it assumed control of the band affairs. A budget of estimated receipts and expenditure for the incoming year showed that, in addition to the usual sources of revenue, another special effort would have to be made this, year if the band were to make progress. The incoming committee should take into serious consideraion the question of doing something with the band property at the back of the Opera House. If the main part of the hall could be let at 30s a week, it would provide enough to pay interest on the overdraft, bank charges, rates and insurances thus relieving the ordinary funds from a charge that they can ill stand. The committee was df ; the opinion that the prospects of the band had never been brighter. By following the policy that had been laid down the goodwill of every section of the community was being obtained. The band was improving in strength and from a musical point of view must in the very near future reach a high standard. This being so, once the financial side had been placed upon a sound footing, the band should be in a very enviable position. The resignation of Mr C. H. Greening was accepted with regret and the secretary was instructed to write thanking him for past services.