GARRISON BAND TO GO TO DOMINION CONTEST

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7135, 5 February 1930, Page 6

GARRISON BAND TO GO TO DOMINION CONTEST

Committee’s Decision COMPENSATION FOR MENS WORK DURING THE YEAR The Palmerston North Garrison Band will compete at the New Zealand Band contest commencing at Dunedin on February 22. This was the unanimous decision made by the committee at a meeting held last evening. Although -the financial burden entailed by this decision will be heavy, tho feeling voiced by the meeting was that the men should be given the trip as some compensation for the arduous practice and enthusiastic work they had undertaken during the year. The musical prospects for the band were stated to be very bright, and the committee decided to undertake the expense of over £3OO that will be involved in the trip. Tho decision to send the band to Dunedin was made tentatively at tho beginning of tho band’s year, and last night’s resolution was in the nature of confirmation. The men have been practising assiduously for some time pest.

There were present at the meeting Mr. M. H. Oram (in the chair), and Messrs "W. C. Louden, J. Mounsey, W. E. Bergersen, F. J„ Oakley and J. Dick.

In connection with the contest the conductor of the band (Mr R. Ci>) stated in the course of his monthly report: "The band is playing in fine form and I am pleased with its efforts. I feel certain it will do credit to oui city. ” The secretary (Mr W. Newlands) outlined the financial side of the position. He estimated that the total cost of the trip would be in the vicinity of £305 Of this amount, £lO5 would go to pay for hotel accommodation in Dunedin,’ £9O for ferry fares, £7l 17/6 rail fares and £ls incidentals. As against this, tho band had £275 available to defray expenses. In the interval, before leaving for the contest, he thought that the band might raise another £SO.

"I fell that the whole object of a band is to train for contests; it works with that end in view,” said Mr Oram.

"As a townsman, I consider it is up to the town to give the bandsmen one holiday a year. They give us 26 concerts a year and they work very hard. They give more time to tho practice of their music than others to any Corm of sport in the town,” said Mr Mounsey. •» ' Mr Oram pointed out that financially the band’s position was as estimated in the budget drafted at the beginning of the year. Hvhen -that budget had been computed, it had been decided to send the band to the contest. As the budget had not been exceeded, ho saw no justification for turning round at this stage and refusing to allow the the men to make the trip. "If the conductor is of the opinion that they will do well musically, I feel that we should send them,” said Mr Louden.

Mr Dick: I feel that the trip should be looked at as some sort of a compensation for the work they have put in during the year. This opinion met with general support and Mr Oram moved formally that tho band be sent to the contest in Dunedin. Tho motion was carried without dissent, as also a further motion to engage Mr A. J. Berryman as solo eornetist.

The band will play from the Square rotunda at 8 o ’clock to-morrow evening and on tho Showgrounds on Sunday afternoon. A concert will be hfild in tbe Opera House in the evening. at which contest selections will be given. Repeat performances will be given on February 16.