PATEA MUNICIPAL BAND

Patea Mail, 2 May 1938, Page 2

PATEA MUNICIPAL BAND

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Patea Municipal Brass Band was held on Thursday, His Worship the Mayor pre. siding. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The conductor's annual report stated that the year had been a busy one, public performances having increased by ten over those of the previous year, making a total of thirty. Ninety, eight rehearsals were also held. The band again competed at the Taranaki contest, and although not successful in winning, the musical sta/dard was much higher than last year. It was worthy of note that in the Hymn Test, the band, witjh two others was success, ful in beating the higher grade bands. A learner’s class was established and all boys took their places in the con, test. Bandsmen Bob Willis and B. Nelson both won medals at the con. test.

Thanks were due to >tjhc secretary for donating a medal for the most improv. cd learner, which has been won by bandsman 11. Willis, who had made a wonderful improvement in his playing. The conductor tendered his thanks to the bandsmen, for loyal support dur. ing the year, and also 'to Bandsman Carey, who had taken the conduc. tor’s place when required, and to the public of Patea, for their very gener. ous assistance and support. The secretary reported that the year had been shortened by two months to bring the band into line- with other or. gnnisations. During the year the band suffered a severe loss through tihe death of Bandsman o’Grady. The band attended his funeral, giving him full bandsman’s honours. The new instruments wore all In good order, but more are required for the benefit of learners. Thanks are due to His Worship the Mayor, Dfrum.Major Had. daw, for the use of the Druid’s Hall as a band room, Drum. Major Nairn, for assistance in t,he absence of Mr. Haddow in England. . Thanks were also due to the employers of labour and the citizens on the committee, who had worked hard to place the band on a good footing, to Mr. Austin, for acting as auditor, and to Mr. Dunk-ley, for the use of his premises for the monthly

meetings. Both reports were adopted. The annual balance.sheet was read, showing a credit balance of £5/19/4, with assets valued at £372/19/4, and liabilities £lls/17/6.

In speaking on the report and bal. anec-shect, the chairman said )ie had to congratulate the band on its success, ful year, and on having such an inde. fatigable and energetic secretary, whose work spoke for itself. His Worship paid a 'warn tribute to the work of the band, particularly at t,he recent Anaac Day celebrations. He would only be too happy to do any. thing in his power for the band, which was a valuable asset to the town. He wished it every success in the future.

Bandsman A. A. Carey said tjhe thanks of the members were due to the secretary’s mother, for making a supper cloth, which, thanks to the secretary’s efforts, brought in £4/18/_.,

Mr. Dunkley congratulated ifche band on the healthy state of its finances. He thought the expenses of conveying the band to the contest should be provided by tflie public and not by the band itself. He would like to sug. gest to the incoming cominittee that any surplus funds they might have after meeting their obligations be utilised in purchasing new instruments. The speaker paid a warm tribute to the work of the secretary for his work during the year, most of the success of the band being due to his efforts.

The balance-sheet was unanimously adopted. ,

- Apoligios for non-attendance were received from Messrs Coyte, Bochett, Muzio, Ansley, E. Heed, R. M. Wil. lis and C. H. Carey. The election of officers resulted as follows: —

Patron: Mr. A. Coyte. President: Mr. F. Kamsbottom. Vice-Presidents: r M|essrs( *F. Nai. smith, A. Dunkley and Bromley.

Committee: Messrs T. Nelson and J. Muzio.

Conductor: Mr, K. Christianson. Bandmaster and Sergeant:, Mr. A A. Carey.

Corporal: Mr. R, Willis; L. Oorpor. al: E. Willis Jnr; Custodians: Messrs F. Williams and B. Nelson; DrumMajor: Mr. .Haddow; Auditor: Mr. L. W. Austin; Secretary: Mr. W. Smith; Delegates to Taranaki Brass Bands' Association: Messrs P. Nuismiljh, A. Dunkley and Secretary. His Worship said he had a pleasant duty to perform, and that was to hand the conductor, Mr. K. Christianson, on behalf of the citizens' committee a cheque for £ls, as a slight mark of appreciation of his services during the year.

Mr. Christianson expressed his appreciation of the gift, and also for the honour done him in re.electing him conductor.

His Worship also presented Bands, man R. .1. Willis with a handsome modal, donated by the secretary, for the best learner during the year. In making the presentation, His Worship said he knew a young fellow in the Homeland who had tried to learn the violin, and ,had failed. Ho then turne to a brass instrument and turned out the beat-euphonium player in England. His name was Tip Scott, of the Besses of the Barn Band. He hoped Bandsman Willis would follow in Bandsman Scott’s footsteps. He then handed the medal to Bandsman Willis amid applause. By a unanimous vote the secretary was asked to accept an honorarium of

£3/3/., as a slight mark of apprecia. tin of his services on behalf of 'the band. The following were elected honorary members of. the band. —• J• Bromley, F. Naismith, T. Nelson, H. Pauling, B. Minton, W. Fugle, B. Sazeltine, P. Locker, A. Dunkley, B. Murray! J. Eockett, J. Gunnison, A. Langs. low r , C. Beauchamp, P. Eamsbottoni, E. Keed, D. Powell, G. Haigh, L. Adams and A. Taylor.

It was unanimously resolved that a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr J. Nairn, Hawera, for the assistance'’ generously rendered to the band during the past year. It was also decided to send letters of appreciation to those mentioned in the secretary’s and conductor's re.

ports. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to the bandsmen’s wives, and to Mrs. Smith, for the splendid supper which she had put on that evening for those present.

Before the meeting closed Mr. F. Naismith, in a happy speech, extended to His Worship the best wishes of the band, for a pleasant voyage to the Homeland, and a safe return to the Dominion. His Worship suitably replied. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Fire Brigade for the use of the room, and to Mr. and Mrs. Maule for assistance rvith. the supper. There being no further business Jflß meeting closed with a hearty thanks to the chair and to the Press.