STRATFORD CITIZENS' BAND

Stratford Evening Post, Volume LVIII, Issue 20, 19 June 1926, Page 5 (Supplement)

STRATFORD CITIZENS' BAND

ANNUAL MEETING. POOR ATTENDANCE OF PUBLIC,; There was an attendance of about twenty-five at the postponed'annual meeting of the Stratford Citizens', Bam; which took place "in the Muni- ' cipal Chambers last night. Apolo- \ gies for unavoidable absence were received from His Worship the Mayor ■ (Mr/J. W. McMillan), R. Masters,:' A. E. Hunter, P. Thomson, P. Coe. . Mr P. Skoglund presided, and re- V gretted that the attendance of mem- * hers of the general public was not \ larger. That could only be taken as \ an indication that the public were | satisfied with the manner in which % the affairs of the Band were being \ conducted, and with the endeavours | of those responsible to form a first- - class band. Those members of the i public who were present he thanked | for their interest.

The annual report and balance- ». sheet, already published, were then &j discussed, their adoption being mov- ied by Mr P. Skoglund, who said they i: had been successful in substantially i reducing the overdraft, which was - eminently satisfactory. Referring ,' to the art union, the speaker spoke \ of the delay in commencing tlie sale. | of tickets, and explained that delay, » which was quite unavoidable. If present indications could be taken as | a guide, there should be a profit from -V the art union. In conclusion, Mr % Skoglund extended thanks to tKe _ bandsmen for the .way in which they had stuck together and attended prac-'/' v tices. Now that a Taranaki Union had been formed, the intention * was to hold a provincial contest pro- i tally an September or. October. K .In seconding the adoption, Mr R. \ Cogar spoke on the necessity of.; lighting the bandstand on Victoria . Park. • ■ ■ ; ! '

Mr A. J. Barr spoke in support, and congratulated the Band on the progress made during the year. The finances, he said, would not permit of any sum being placed aside for de- .' preciation on the uniforms, arid fie ~ thought that some provision should be made ;for any contingency which >-■ might arise in this regard.

Mr S. Dunbar expressed the opin- M ion that the asset provided to the .'■ town by the Band was one of the ■"' '....; best. People would not realise that asset unless, like him, they had lived in a town without a band. He regretted that there was not a larger attendance of the public, and expressed the opinion that the Chamber of' Commerce- and Progress League, ;to :' say nothing of some members of the Borough Council, should have shown • their appreciation of the Band by r ; : ; J their presence. ' : '" '•—:.:'" ;; '' * '*" Mr H. S. Martin spoke'in support, and expressed regret that-the Band was not better supported by the public. ■' . . -.. i j-\:v

In reply, Mr Skoglund pointed out that the Council would go into the' matter of lighting bandstand in the Park, alter the changeover had been completed. The Council, He,.-" thought, supported the Band in a sat- , isfactory manner and,.gave a subsidy of £IOO per,,, annum, was, he thought, ih excess of the amount paid by other Councils tor other bands. VICE-PRESIDENTS. ■';. ' On the motion' of Mr H. Buraester,, it was decided to increase the number of vice-presidents from one to .'_) five. ■'■ '■'■', ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows: Patron, Mr E. Walter, MP.. . "■. ' -j President, Mr P. Thomson. m Vice-'presidents, His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. W- McMillan), Messrs ' l : } J. OrivW. H. Kelly, S. Dunbar, A. J. -V' Barr. < • j Secretary and Treasurer, Mr 0. • K Moss. Mr Burmester declined nom-; ; Tnation. . r - ' Citizens' Representatives . oil. the 'A Executive, Messrs P. Skoglund, H. kgj S. Martin.- . . ' '• ' .»S Hon. Auditor, Mr R. Cogar. . ; k| Mr A. J. Barr, the retiring auditor, j|| was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for past services. • VOTES OF THANKS. A 'hearty vote of thanks was ac- ; corded to Mr E. Walter, M.P., for his i-ji efforts in getting the date for closing ; of the art union extended. '■ A vote of thanks waß accorded to ..''. the ladies' committee for the assist-,, ance rendered in connection with various functions, and also to all those " who had assisted the Band in the ,< past. •-•■[