Garrison Band

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 110, 12 May 1939, Page 9

Garrison Band

ANNUAL MEETING Good prospects for the future were the keynote of the proceedings at the annual meeting of the Garrison Band on Wednesday evening over which Mr J. A. Nash president. Annual Report Tho accounts for tho year, after writing off the sum of £B7 0s 7d for depreciation showed a loss of £62 12s Id. Of this amount the sum of £sl lJs lOd was spent on expenses for soloists attending the Christchurch contest, stated the annual report. In view of the splendid response by the public to the instrument fund campaign during the previous year, and as the band was not competing at the contest this year, it was considered inadvisable to make a major appeal to the public, and the money raising efforts were confined to minor activities by the members of the band itself under the capable leadership of Lieutenant C. Pike. It was indeed gratifying that the active members of the band had the incentive not only to maintain their interest in the band itself but had given invaluable service to money raising efforts. The band had given its services whenever called upon during the year and has exceeded the requisite number of public performances required by the City Council. Practices had been well attended and the standard of efficiency was definitely on the up-grade, and the band was now settling down to steady training in view of the Centennial contest in 1940. The congratulations of the committee were extended to Mr H. Guthrie, who despite a serious physical disability was successful in winning the euphonium championship of New Zealand, also to other members of the band who gained minor successes at the Christchurch contest. The committee desired to extend their thanks to all those who in any way assisted the band during the year and in particular to the ladies 7 committee, who rendered invaluable service to the organisation. Election of Officers Elected officers for the next year were:—Patron, Mr A. E. Mansford; president, Mr J. A. Nash; vice-presi-dents, 14 were elected, Messrs W. H. Brown and F. J. Oakley being designated senior; hon treasurer, Mr Cowlishaw; hon. auditor, Mr R. A. Brace, secretary, Mr C. V. Day; assistant-secretary, Mr 11. Guthrie; committee, Messrs K. A. Henderson, G. Tremaine, J. Creighton, L. Brougham, B. Haybittle, S. Wilson, B. Norman Craighead, H. Guthrie, G. Whitehead, B. Register, H. Collins, L. Housiaux, A. Leicester. Band officers were elected as follows: —Bandmaster, Mr H. Guthrie; sergeant, Mr J. P. Cowlishaw; corporal, Mr L. Curtis; lance-corporal, Mr R. Woods; librarians, Messrs A. Thomas and A. White, drum major, Mr S. Wilson. The conductor, Lieutenant C. Pike, said the band was definitely on the up grade and the members were showing a great deal of keenness and putting in a lot of time practising. That augured well for what was in front of them next year. He did not think an Australian band would be in New Zealand for the Centennial, as not one conductor seemed to think there was any possibility of his band coming to the contest. He had some good news, having learned that two of the best cornet players in the Dominion were coming to live in Palmerston North. He hoped with the active co-operation of the band to make it difficult for others who attended the Centeimial contest. Mr W. H. Brown, in returning thanks, for election as a senior vice-president, said he wanted to congratulate tho band on its turn out on Anzac Day. It had certainly made a wonderful showing. To him it seemed that the band was getting back to what it was when he first made contact with it. He wished also to congratulate the band on having so many young men present. He felt sure the future success of the Garrison Band was assured. Mr Tremaine, chairman of the committee for the first year, thanked his colleagues for the help they had given him and Mr Day for the splendid way in which he had carried out his duties. Good wishes to tho band were conveyed by letter from Mr A. Thomas, a former member now living in Stratford. Mr Nash, in conclusion, said everybody seemed happy in the band. As president he wished them a properous year. After the business was concluded the band and members of the committee present were the guests of the conductor at supper. .