The Invercargill Band.

Otago Witness, Issue 1586, 15 April 1882, Page 24

The Invercargill Band.

A sacred concert was given by the Inveron cargill Garrison Band at the Garrison Hall, Friday evening, in aid of the Benevolent Institution, and attracted a good attendance. The proceeds of the entertainment will not, however, realise the sum they should have owing to an error made in the statement of the prices for admission. The fee for the gallery was advertised at Is, instead of 2s, consequently a considerable amount of confusion arose at the doors, and possessors of Is tickets had to be allowed on the gallery. The band, which is under the conductorship of Captain W. E. Heywood>nd leadership of Mr W. V. Siddell, includes about 25 members, and is composed of brass instruments exclusively. These are thoroughly well balanced, and the band iB generally admitted to have arrived at more than an ordinary state of proficiency. The programme of last evening, we are constrained to say, did not serve to display to any great extent the capabilities of the band. Although all the items had to be sacred selections, we think a much better one could have been arranged. Tho church call, " Hark ! the bonnie Ohrislchurch bells," was the only strikingly attractive piece played during the evening, and the others were too lengthy — in two instances at least, themes bomg repealed an unconscionable numberof times. The concert wan, foowovcrjvery entertaining withal j and the band sustained

the reputation it has previously achieved here. The "Call" already mentioned met with a well deserved encore, and the march from "Athalie," which was given as an opening item, was rendered in first-class style. A fantasia on Sankey and Moody airs was played in conclusion, and it proved especially interesting. To-night the band give another concert, for which an excellent programme is announced, and it has also consented to lend its services again on behalf of the Benevolent Institution on Sunday afternoon, when a progamine is to be gone through at the Caledonian rounds.

South. British Insurance Company. At the meeting of the, South British Insurance Company at Auckland, on Monday,

The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said the latter was the most favourable one submitted for two years. The premiums were £85,883, being £20,000 in excess of those for the corresponding period last year. There was intense competition in the fire business. The companies^ however, were now combining to establish better rates. Their losses had been £5000 more than those of the corresponding period of last year. They numbered 375, making an average of £100. The reinsurance showed an increase of £8000 ; while £15,000 had been spent in reorganising and opening up new branches. The reserve fund now stood # at £80,000. By the sum of £6245 ample provision was made for all known and anticipated losses. Laudatory references were made to Mr Johnston's visit Home. The policy of extension wherever legitimate insurance could be safely done had been carried on, the latest branch opened being one in South Africa. The Chairman, in conclusion, said' he had never felt greater confidence in the success of the Company than he did now. Mr J. Batger seconded the motion, which was carried.

Messrs F. G. White and J. Batger were reelected auditors. ' A vote of thanks was passed to the directors and officers, ' The meeting then resolved into an extraordinary general one, when the Chairman moved, in accordance .with a notice, that subsection 4 of the article 90 of the articles of association of the Company be altered by striking out all the words after the word " manner" in the said sub-section, and in lieu thereof inserting the words following, viz. :— "And in and upon, or in any case of real estate, stocks, funds, debentures, shares, or securities, and upon such terms as they may think fit, and may from time to time vary investments." An amendment of the motion was necessary in order to restrict investment to limited companies, but it would have to be made formally. Mr R; C. Barstow seconded; and Mr R. Lamb then moved the indicated amendment — viz., that the words "in limited companies" should be inserted after the' word " share."

The amendment was seconded by Mr Howard, and, carried.

Teaohera' Examinations.

The following are the results of the teachers examination in January last, so far as the Otago Teachers are concerned .—Passed in Class D— A, P. Drummond, J. A. Johnson, Mi A. Temple. Passed in Class E-— Agnes Bannatyne, A. M. Baraett, J.R. Don, B. W. Gurr, C. R. Smith, G. L. Stewart. Partial success recorded toward Class D—lt,D — It, M. Beattie, H. L. Barton, F. Golding, C. W. Selby, Louisa Will. Partial success towards Class E— J. F. Bbtting, Jessie Cairns, Nellie Christie, Eva CurimngKame, William Ferguson. Frances Hawkes, ] Edgar Ivens, A. F. Joseph, Mary King, C. ¥'. $chmedes, A. D. Selk, A. Warburton, H. F. Wilson. Passed required to complete former examination—J. L. Bonnin, J. C, Browne, W. P. Brunton, Thy'rza Dayjes, 1 Amy Haskell, James Jeffrey, C. K.'Kerr, W. S/Lucas, Mary Wilson, Charles Young.,