THE RIFLES BAND.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 3 November 1880, Page 2

THE RIFLES BAND.

• The annual meeting of the members of the Rifles' Band was held after the usual practice last evening. There were nineteen members present, and Mr. Jones, Honorary Conductor, occupied the cha,ir. The Chairman said that ho did not think'it was necessary for him to make any further prefatory remark than tha thet Band had bean in existence for about 12 months, and that during that time it had done good work and made satisfactory progress. The Hon. Secretary (Sergeant Mitchell) read the following : ANNUAL REPORT, It may not be out of place in presenting the first annual report to congratulate the band upon the success which has marked its career during the past twelve months. Started under very unfavorable auspices, \yith but a limited number of instruments, and those simply on hire, the Band has gradually grown in dimensions and popularity. Thanks to the members who have on all occasions devoted the whole of the obtained for the Band's services to the augmentation of the general Band fund instead of dividing the money amongst themselves, the Band has been able to purchase a large number of instruments, to make provision for regular supplies of the newest music, to qbttvin stands, and perform much good work, tending to pv.-v mote its future welfare. A reference to the baln,nce-sheet will disclose the fact that during the year the Band has expended upon instruments, music, music stands, and other requisites, over L6O. Stili much has to be done to thoroughly equip the Band, and here it may be apropos to remind members that a further supply of instruments is urgently necessary in order to nrovidc for the continual increase to the number of the members of the Band, and to enable jt io return the instruments obtained on hire. Knowing that a lavge sum would be required to effect this end, your Committee, on learning, that the Artillery .B.and had been dis* banded, determined to make cUi application to the Caledonian Society for the use of its instruments, and in return to guarantee to supply for a moderate sum an efficient and strong band to perform at the Society's annual gathering. As members of the Band are application has been made to the .Directors of the Caledonian Society, who haye the matter under consideration- Your Committee have every reason to hope that a satisfactory understanding will be arrived at, and that the Band will be enabled, by obtaining a supply of instruments, to still further increase its numbers and efficiency. Your Committee would also draw the attention of members to the fact that a further supply of uniforms will shortly be rcceiyod, and that, in accordance with the agreement entered into with No. 1 Company, provision will have to be made for the payment of a portion of the cost of the uniforms. It is scarcely necessary to remind members that tins call has been made upon the Bana in consequence of the present reduction and prospective total abolition of the Government capitation. The Band will therefore be thrown very much upon its own resources, and it cannot be too firmly impressed upon members that it will be necessary in the future, as in the past, to use every possible legitimate means of increasing the Band's funds. The total disinterestedness of members during the paat year has enabled your Committee to do much towards providing a complete equipment, and they hope that their successors will receive the same amount of support—that members will continue to work purely from a love of music and the pleasure which its study affords, rather than from any desire to obtain from it personal gain.' Your Committee cannot conclude this repoyt without members upon the harmonious manner in which they have worked together, and upon tho absence of those frequent disagreements which too often tend to the breaking up of Bands. Your Committee also desire to place on record their appreciation of the services gratuitously rendered by Mr. Pheloungas bandmaster. He has proved himself energetic, attentive, and earnest in his desire to make the Band thoroughly efficient.

The Hon. Secretary also read the balance-sheet, and both documents were adopted. Votes of thanks \vere accorded to the Hon. Conductor, Bandmaster, Librarian, Auditors, and Secretary. The annual elections tnok place with the following results : —Hon. Sec. and Treasurer, Sergeant Mitchell ; Committee, Corporal Gibbs, Bandsmen Kins, Halland, Frame, and Smith, with Bandmaster Pheloung and the Hon. Sec. : Auditors, Bandsmen Halland and .King ] Librarian, Corporal Gibbs. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting.