THE STRATFORD BARD

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 226, 22 April 1933, Page 3

THE STRATFORD BARD

Annual Meeting Held

SUCCESSFUL YEAR

Matters relating to the Stratford Municipal Band were received last night at the annual meeting of the Citizens' Committee to which, a report and balance sheet were presented showing that a successful year was experienced. The report recalled that the committee was formed as a result of an appeal for a body of band supporters to relieve the Borough Council of the band's financial affairs. The committee so formed had more than justified its existence, as would be shown on Unbalance sheet. At the beginning of the term 01 office a series of euchre and crib parties was run. The first resulted in a small profit of £4 18s 7d, but the next two were failures, resulting in a loss of £2 3s over the three tournaments. That was due largely to Hie fact that sufficient public support was not forthcoming. The winter show was the next, attempt at raising funds and was as successful as could be desired, ii' 4s 9d being netted as clear profit. The assistance of several ladies in that project was invaluable and contributed greatly to making it an outstanding success. Engagements at tne Racing Club's two meetings and at the A. and P. show benefited the band's funds by £4l 7s. On Christmas morning the bandsmen, with the use of two council lorries began carolling at five o'clock and! incite of a fairly consistent downpour, succeeded in covering all the borough and collecting £ll 7s 7rt. \ social for bandsmen was arranged'early in the year as an appreciation of the band's annexing the B grade championship of Taranaki. A number of supporters and parents of bandsmen were present also, and the evening in no small measure helped the public to gain some idea of the work done by the band and of its need toi financial support. On the conductor's recommendation a new BE flat bass was purchased at a cost of £l4 13s. The Eltham conat which the band distinguished itself by winning the B grade selection was another cause of expenditure as expenses totalling £ll 15s 6d were incurred. . \ medal was struck to H»o winning of the Taranaki B grade championship for 1932 ard the B grade selection f0r.1933. The need for consistent imancial support from, the public could not be overlooked. Expenses due to purcnase of music, repairs to mstrunmius ana uniforms and travelling had to be met, and without continued support the'band would not be able to cairy on and keep its present position among the foremost of Taranaki bands The balance sheet showed a ciedit of £22 17s sd. „ .. n The balance sheet showed items of expenditure to be: Expenses card tournament £25 6s 3d; affiliation fee, TB Union £1 Is; music £1 19s od; subscription 10s; expenses social £4 Is 3d; donation Social Fund £5 ss; Dank charges £1; advertising annual meeting 12s; medals £6 i7s 9d; new instrument £l4 13s; Eltham contest expenses £ll 15s 6d; petty expenses £1 Us 6d; excess income over expenditure £2O 4s lid. Total £94 17s 7d.

Income —Card tournament £23 3s 3d; Winter Show £l7 4s 9d; A. and P. Show £7 7s; Racing Club £34; Christmas carolling £ll 7s 7d; donations £1 15s. Total £94 17s 7d. Apologies Avere received from Messrs. R. F. Harkness, P. Thomson, P. Skoglund,.K. W. Ewing, A. E. Sayers, Bert White.

The committee elected was: Messrs. G. Lamplough, F. E. Trim, W. Clarke, R. Galbraith, A. E. Hunter, D. Sisarich and C. Brieseman. The band representatives on the committee were appointed as follow: Messrs. H. Trotter, F. Foley N. Wills, A. Dick and R. Eagar

At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr. W, Clarke was reelected chairman. >

Every member of the band was presented with a souvenir medal struck to commemorate the success of the band in winning the Taranaki B grade championship in 1932 at Stratford, and the B grade selection this year at Eltham. In presenting the medals the chairman congratulated the band upon its success in gaining the two awards. He stated that every credit was due to the conductor, Mr. H. McCaskill, for having raised the band to the standard it had reached.

Mr. McCaskill remarked upon the loyal support given him by the band members, who were deserving of the greatest praise on account of tho way they had worked so industrially. A vote of thanks and appreciation was passed to the secretary, Mr. L. Anscombe.