PATEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 19, 23 January 1935, Page 3

PATEA

MUNICIPAL BAND. NEW INSTRUMENTS FOR CONTENT Following the effort made during last November to raise sufficient funds to obtain a complete new sot of instruments, the Batea Municipal Band are now endeavouring to raise funds for a few instruments which are urgently required in order to send the band to the Dominion contest in March. Towards this end, the Mayor (Mr. F. Ramebottom) called a meeting of citizens to ascertain what amount of support was forthcoming in the band’s effort. There was a splendid attendance at the meeting on Monday night, with a large attendance of band members also. The Mayor stated that last year it had been found that the whole set of new instruments was too big a hurdle to get over all at once, but the bandsmen had not been discouraged and they bad gone ahead making plans for raising funds, and increasing practices. Their appearance during the holidays at various functions and places had greatly added to their prestige and popularity. The band now required seven new instr urn ents to replace old ones which were at present debarring the bund from attending the contest in March. The band secretary. Mr. N. Coad, read out the list of instruments needed, which included two cornets, two tromI Mines, two basses (E flat and double flat) and a euphonium, the total cost as quoted by Eady’s Ltd., of Auckland, being over £2I)U. Some of these were used instruments and were thus greatly cheaper than new. He also stated that there was not £4O in the band’s instruments fund. Several suggestions for raising funds were made in response to the Mayor’s request, Mr. F. W. Locker stated that the meeting was not the slightest indication of the popularity of the band or of the support it had behind it in its endeavours. He suggested tthat as the recent canvass of bhe town had not been successful owing to the fact that the bandsmen themselves had had to do the work, he would like to see a canvasser from outside the town engaged to do the work. He had not the Slightest doubt tthat the funds necessary would be collected. Mr. H. Parsons made the suggestion of a mock mayoral election, with each ihreepenee raised registering a vote in favour of one of the contestants. Elo suggested two. one for the town and one for the country. Mr. Parsons fur-

ther detailed his idea, showing that he hud thought it out well in rmdiue&s. Expressions by other citizens attending tne meeting showed that tiny were in favour of Mr. Parsuus’ ion, and on the matter being put to the meoting. it vvus unanimously decided to hold the election, aud to got s<urt< I straight away. Mr. Parsons was elected organ ser to get the two committees started, a suggestion being made that the Maoris migut like to nominate their candidate meeting with favour, and therefore it is likely that a third committee might be organised. The town coiumittee was elected there and then, and comprised Messrs F. W. Ixicker, J. Gunnison, A. E. Wainwright, A. 11. Langslow, and D. Roots. It was decided that the band and its members would have t-o remain neutral, although it would bo eager and ready to give assistance al any lime required. Mr. Wainwright brought forward the matter of procuring the instruments immediately, pointing out that if the contest was in March, the bandsmen would require time to practice. He suggested that a number of public-spirited citizens might feel like guaranteeing £o I each towards securing the instrument straight away, so that no time would be lost. When the money was raised, rhe cost would be paid complete. After further discussion il wa>, decided to appoint two representatives to canvass businessmen towards this guarantee, and Messrs. F. W. l/oeker and A. E. Wainwright were ajipointcl. both being willing. Mr. Parsons' action in offering the services of the band at the Wavcrley Show was endorsed.