MUNICIPAL BAND

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4558, 10 April 1942, Page 4

MUNICIPAL BAND

ANNUAL MEETING HELD Election of officers The annual meeting of members of the Te Awamutu Municipal Band was held on Tuesday night, a fair numbei being in attendance. The President, Mr W. 0. Sinnott, occupied the chair. Among those present was the deputy Mayor (Cr F. Parsons). Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor (Mr L. G. Armstrong) and Cr E. R. Olsen (a Vice-President). THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT Mr Sinnott submitted his annual report as follows: “ During the year since last annual general meeting world affairs have made rapid changes, and the Band has had to adapt itself to altered conditions. Several members who, a year ago, were waiting to enter the Armed Forces, have since left. The Band has many times during the last twelve months, and often with depleted numbers, loyally answered requests to play out for the Home Guard, soldiers’ farewells, and other activities of a military nature, and has never failed to make a display worthy of the town. “ As you know, the Bandmaster of a year ago has left the district, and the conductorship of the Band is again in the capable hands of Mr R. H. "Close, who., as in the past, has spared no effort in pushing forward the activities of the Band. Kihikihi players have been enlisted, and Mr Close has given up a lot of his spare time in travelling to Kihikihi to instruct these players, with the result that the Band has now a very valuable addition to its numbers. “ Playing members have very loyally stood by the Band through its difficulties in spite of petrol restrictions and other handicaps, while some old members have returned to help swell the numbers during the war years, to ensure that when peace returns again the Band will still be carrying on and be ready to welcome back the members who have had to leave. “ Recently the black-out has restricted night play-outs, but the energetic Committee has overcome this difficulty by day play-outs in Victoria Park, these being greatly appreciated by the public- “ The Borough Council has been very helpful in the discussions held with that body with a view to changing the status of the Band from an incorporated society to that of a borough Band, and also by the donation made. “ During the year many public-spir-ited citizens have made donations to the funds, and, in spite of expenses in the replacements and maintenance of uniforms and equipment, the year has ended with a credit balance of over £25. “ I would like to thank all members, and especially members of the Committee, for. the good work performed during the year, and to wish the Band a successful future and a speedy return of its absent members.” Mr Close thanked members for the loyal support accorded during the year, especially mentioning Mrs H. Hillmer for writing out missing parts of music. The Band now had in its library 320 full sets of first-class music. He also thanked the Band officers for their co-operation, and finally spoke to individual members in respect of faults and good qualities in their respective parts. ELECTION OF OFFICERS The following officers were elected:— Patron: Mr L. G. Armstrong. President: Mr W. O. Sinnott. Vice-Presidents: Messrs E. R. Olsen and E. H. Cucksey. Secretary: Mr H. Hillmer. Treasurer: Mr E. Willers. Bandmaster: Mr R. H. Close. Band Sergeant: Mr E. Hooper. Drum-Major: Mr W. Tootill. Committee: Messrs W. Tootill, J. Maguire, C. Peterson, M. Hughes, and G. Pollard. Honorary Auditor: Mr G. O. Jourdain. i Mr .Hooper read the roll for the sixmonthly period ended 31st March, showing a membership of thirty. Mr Close topped the list of attendances with 100 per cent, having attended 49 practices or parades, while several other members were absent from only one or two parades. In all, it was an excellent attendance record. During the year several Te Awamutu members assisted the Putaruru Band in that town, and Mr Maguire, a VicePresident of that Band, thanked the Te Awamutu members for their help. Business being concluded, those present spent a few pleasant hours in song and toast.