HAWERA BAND SUBSIDY

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1933, Page 10

HAWERA BAND SUBSIDY

FEARS OF THOSE INTERESTED. POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONDUCTOR. Some apprehension as to the effect of the Hawera Borough Council's reduction in the band subsidy was expressed in interested quarters yesterday. The possible loss of the bandmaster, Mr. H. C. A. Fox, and the result that would have on music in the schools of the town were the chief sources of anxiety. “This bombshell causes a crisis in the affairs of the band and in the musical education of the young at Hawera,” said Mr. E. Dixon, chairman of the Citizens’ Band committee, when interviewed by tire Daily News. He pointed out that 122 children in the schools were receiving tuition from Mr. Fox and that through Mr. Fox’s instrumentality another 6(1 were' receiving cheap tuition from a capable musician in the string classes. Mr. Dixon expressed concern lest the curtailment of the subsidy would mean that the band would lose the services of Mr. Fox. Even, however, if he could be replaced it was unreasonable to expect that anyone at a reduced salary would give such whole-hearted service to the musical organisations of the town. The band committee, he pointed out, had had difficulty in making ends meet owing to the decline in public subscriptions. The reduction of £5O would accordingly make this task more difficult and might entail a reduction of the bandmaster’s salary, which in addition to making his retention difficult, would mean that he would be poorly recompensed for the work he was doing. The band’s 146 parades last year included 40 public performances. In addition there was Mr. Fox’s work in the Hawera High, Hawera Main and Tawhiti schools and his assistance to the orchestral and operatic societies. . „ “I am afraid we may lose Mr. I‘ox. said Mr. T. J. Hurrell, chairman of the Hawera Main school band committee. “That would be a great pity and we do not want it to happen. If the council possibly could it should have kept its subsidy at the same figure.” Mr Hurrell said Mr. Fox had put a great deal of work into the school band and without him it would probably not have been possible. Apart from his work the bandmaster had been instnunemal in securing donations of £2OO which would not have been given if it had not been for Mr. Fox. PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ RUGBY. HAWERA TOWN TEAM SELECTED. After a trial game played at J 1 Hawera Main School on Tuesday afternoon Mr. F. Mason selected the following players to represent Hawera town schools against a Patea district team at the Hawera showgrounds as a curtainraiser to the Hawera-Patea senior game on Saturday, the match to commence at 1.30 p.m.: A. Bamford, S. Lord, D. Ke ™P' G. Peacock,. G. Wallis (Hawera Mam School), H. Prime, V. Young, G. Richards, I. Boothby, J. Lee (Turuturu), B. Turnbull, J. Cavanagh, A. Kerrisk, M. Christieson (Hawera Convent), J. Brewer (Tawhiti). Emergencies: Forwards, B. Aim (Turuturu), C. Toy (Tawhiti). ARARATA DISTRICT NEWS. ‘ CELEBRATION OF BIRTHDAY. A party was held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. T. Tarrant, Ararata, on July 11 to celebrate the coming-of-age of their eldest son Tom. A happy evening was spent in dancing, curds and music. Items were given by Miss Pearl Gane, Mrs. Robertson, Miss Audrey Marsh and Miss Zoe Tocker. The dance music was played by Mr:. R, Corkill and Miss Pearl Gane. _ Mr., R. McCann was master of ceremonies. Interesting competitions arranged by Miss Margaret Wilson were won by Mrs. A. Robertson and Mrs. K. Duckworth. About 50 guests sat down to supper and toasts were honoured. The birthday cake, a .gift from Mrs. E. L. Strawbridge, Kio Kio, to her nephew, was cut by Miss May Ogle, whose 20th birthday coincided with that of her cousin’s 21st, GENERAL ITEMS. Kakaramea Euchre and Dance. Despite other attractions there was a good attendance at the euchre party and dance in the Kakaramea hall on Monday night. The ladies’ prize was won by Miss R. Presland, and the men’s prize by Master Colin Thompson. Dance music was supplied by Mrs. Williams, Patea, with an extra by Miss R. Presland, and supper was provided by the ladies. Mr. C. Lord was master of ceremonies. Turi Memorial Unveiling. The unveiling of the Turi Memorial at Patea has been fixed for August 2. PERSONAL ITEMS. Members of the Hawera Debating Society made a presentation to Miss I. Arthur on Monday night as a token of her happy association with the club. Miss Arthur will leave for Auckland in the near future. ———“ z ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS. The eleventh annual ball of the Hawera High School Old Pupils’ Association will take place at the Winter Show buildings, Hawera, to-night. A comprehensive decorative scheme has been carried out, and music -will be provided by Wills’ Melodymakers’ Orchestra of eight instruments. The South Taranaki Cricket Association’s Shield will be presented to the Hawera Old Boys’ team, which annexed the championship last season. Competitors for the musical, elocutionary and dancing competitions to be held in Hawera from August 22 to 25 are reminded by an advertisement in to-day s issue that entries close on Wednesday, July 26, 1933.