TOWN BAND.

Waipa Post, Volume VI, Issue 281, 16 January 1914, Page 2

TOWN BAND.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual public meeting to receive the annual report of the band, together with the statement of accounts, and to elect officers for the ensuing year took place at the Town Hall last night. Only members of the band were present. Mr W. F. Stewart (president) presided, and after routine business had been completed, he submitted a statement showing the band’s financial position. For the year the receipts totalled £6l 7s lOd, of which amount £2 I2s 8d had been carried forward from last year. The bandsmen’s subscriptions amounted to £l3 9s, and donations £l4 is 2d. Engagements £5 ss, and nett proceeds of the bazaar £26, completed the receipts. Sundry expenses amounted to £39 6s 2d, leaving a credit balance of £22 is Bd. The value of the band’s property, including the assessed value of the uniforms, instruments, etc., amounted to £234 2s 8d with no liabilities, as on November 29th, the end of the band’s financial year. In submitting his verbal report the president expressed the opinion that the band was to be congratulated upon having, in three years, accumulated property to the value of £234 The success of the band was due to three reasons —the liberal support of the public, the ready assistance given by the ladies, and the efforts of the bandsmen. To the ladies in particular credit was due, they having so materially assisted on every possible occasion. From a return presented he was pleased to note that the practices were being so well attended and he felt sure many of the bandsmen had attendedonly after much inconvenience. The conductor (Mr Newsome) was well deserving of praise. His knowledge, placed at the head of the band, had proved most valuable. To the Secretary (Mr A. J. Blythe) much credit was due for the progress of the band’s affairs. His untiring energy, ability, and zeal had for three years characterised his tenure of office. The committee had worked well together and the members were deserving of the thanks of the band and the public for the work they had done. He personally desired to thank the bandsmen for their action in attending the funeral of the late Mr E. I. Miller. It was to the credit of the bandsmen, who had, out of respect to one who had been so staunch a supporter and promoter of the band, to spontaneously assemble to pay a last farewell. In conclusion, he urged the bandsmen to continue to work together and to keep to the fore the fund for the purchase of new instruments as those at presnt in use, were not satisfactory either to the bandsmen or to the conductor. The balance sheet was adopted. In asking for nominations for the various official positions, Mr Stewart first stated that he desired to nominate Mr J. Jackson for the presidency. After every member present had expressed regret at Mr Stewart’s retirement, and expressed appreciation of his efforts in the band’s interests, Mr Jackson was duly elected.

A later resignation, that of Mr A. J. Blythe, was received with much regret, the meeting recording a vote of thanks to the retiring secretary. The election of officers was proceeded with, the following being elected: President, Mr Jas. Jackson ; vice-president, Mr A. G. Warburton ; conductor, Mr Newsome (re-elected with applause); secretary and treasurer, Mr A. G. Warburton; assistant secretary, Mr A. C. Edwards; deputy-conductor, Mr J. T. North ; senior sergeant, Mr Chas. North ; librarian, Mr F. J. Gilbert; auditor, Mr F. D. Wood; custodian, Mr C. Kendrick ; committee, Messrs Stewart, A. Bygrave, F. J. Gilbert, J. North, G. Galloway, A. Newsome, A. J. Blythe, and W. Boys. It was resolved that two custodians be elected to control the moneys now being collected for the band’s new instrument fund, and that an account be opened at the P. O. Savings Bank. Messrs Stewart and Warburton were duly elected trustees and empowered to operate upon the new banking account. The need of a cupboard for band property in the practice room being mentioned Mr Stewart offered to supply any necessary timber and Mr Edwards undertook to do the necessary work. It was resolved to interview the various business men with the request that they give preference to bandsmen in vacancies that may occur in in their respective businesses, to enable the band to increase its playing strength. Messrs Newsome, C. North, and A. Bygrave were deputed to wait upon the various business men with this request. The meeting concluded with a special vote to the retiring president and secretary and to all officers for work done during the past year.