KAIKORAI BRASS BAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23884, 11 August 1939, Page 7

KAIKORAI BRASS BAND

ANNUAL MEETING The fifty eighth annual meeting of the Kaikorai Brass Band was held last night, the president, Mr E. T. Moller. presiding over a good attendance of members. Moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, the president mentioned that the ban.d had seldom been in a stronger position, and its improved standing during the year was largely due to the work of the conductor (Mr A. W. E. Webb) and Messrs O’Hara. Foster and Wood. The band was now back to a position in which it could justly lay claim to its old reputation of being Dunedin's leading band. The president also congratulated the secretary and treasurer on the amount of work which thev had put in for the band. The motion was seconded and adopted. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted as follows:—President. Mr E. T. Moller; vice-presidents. Messrs W. A. Scotland Henaghan: conductor. Mr A. W. E. Webb; drum-major, Mr I. Brown; secretary and treasurer. Messrs F. Hooper and T. Cairns; band sergeant, Mr A Campbell; band corporal, Mr A. Campbell. jun.: deputy conductor, Mr R. Keevers: committee—Messrs C. O’Hara, S. Wood. S. Smith. R. Rodgers. J. Turnbull: labrarian. Mr R. Rodgers; custodian, Mr C. O’Hara; auditors, Messrs W. Cubit and R. MacDonald; official accompanist, Mr A. Pettitt; caretaker. Mr C. Foster. Annual Report The annual report stated, inter alia: — Presenting the fifty-eighth annual report, the Executive Committee desires to express gratification that the membership of the band has improved so greatly, the band strength now being 40 members. Unfortunately at the commencement of the year several members felt compelled to resign, owing to ill health and transfer of employment. This state of affairs was a definite handicap, which prevented the band from securing broadcast engagements, hence a loss qf revenue. The band was prevented from competing at the last contest held in Christchurch for the same reason. The band sent several soloists to the contest, and they brought honour to the Kaikorai Band by winning the soprano comet New Zealand Champion* ship, the trombone trio, second place in the G trombone solo, and third place in the B flat cornet New Zealand Championship. At the commencement of the vear Lieutenant H. A. Osborne resigned his position as conductor. Lieutenant A, W. E. Webb, deputy conductor, was appointed to the position of conductor, and under his capable tuition the band has steadily imnroved. now being a capable combination. The band intends to compete at the forthcoming contest to be held at Wellington in February of next year, but unfortunately will be competing under a disadvantage, owing to the badly worn instruments now being used by the band. It is hoped that a concerted effort made by mambers ano supporters will eventually be the means of securing a new set of instruments. During the year the band fulfilled Sunday afternoon recitals under engagement with the City Council, for which a £SO subsidy was received, also playing for 18 other public engagements.

A solo competition was held in the bandroom for members. The late Mr Whale, of Oamaru. kindly acted as judge, with Mr A. H. Pettitt at the piano. The competition was divided into senior and junior sections. The former was won by Mr A. W. E Webb with Mr P. Glen in second place, while Mr N. Robert won the junior section with Mr J. Brown filling second place. President Moller and Vice-president Henaghan presented gold medals a? prizes for this competition. The financial position of the band shows a credit balance of £l7 6s Id, while assets are £3lB Id. with liabilities standing at £8 6s 8d

The band is at present making definite arrangements for a camp to be held at Alexandra at Christmas The camp will be open to bandsmen, their wives and friends, also supporters. During the camp the band will rehearse the contest music, and quickstep instructions will be given by Ser-geant-major McKenzie, together with the band drufn-major. Mr J Brown.