THE HAMILTON LIGHT INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS. Public Meeting.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1289, 2 October 1880, Page 2

THE HAMILTON LIGHT INF ANTRY VOL UNTEERS. Public Meeting.

I A meeting of the members and honorary members of the above corps, was held on Thursday evening in the Oddfellows' Hall for the purpose of taking into consideration matters of importance in connection with the band. There was a very fair attendance, which included several residents of the town. The band mustered in lull force, and enlivened the proceedingsS during the evening by playing a few lively airs. Captain Dawson was vo'ed to the chair and opened the meeting by stating the object for which it had been called, viz. : to discuss the question of the advisability of appointing a bandmaster. He had received several letters from the Secretary of the band upon the matter, but had never brought it forward in consequence of the meagre attendance at drills, and he thought the best way was to advertise it in the Waikato Times which lie had done. The letters which he had received from the Secretary stated that unless something was done towards appointing a band-master to teach the band the members would give in their instruments. He quite agreed with their doing so if nothing was done — especially as the band had offered to subscribe 4.25 a-year towards an instructor if the Corps found the remaining £25. Now the sum was very small, and he had not the slightest doubt that the members of the corps would agree to it. Those belonging to the band had given a great deal of their time to it, and it would be a great pity to see the band fall through. Mr John Coleman thought the Volunteers also gave a great deal of their time as wel] to drill. He objected to persons joining the band for three or four weeks and then leaving it. If that kind of procedure was allowed to go on they would never get an efficient band. Those joining the band ought to be residents who intended to make Hamilton their home. At the Thames, the members of the different Vo'unteers corps, had to subscribe so much a month towards the band, and he did not see why it (should not be done here. Band -sergeant Henry said it was as much to the interest of the band as it wos to the corps to get permanent members and if Mr Coleman looked round he would see that the majority were old members. Captain Dawson quite agreed with the remarks of Mr Coleman. It was desirable to get permanent residents in the band. Mr J. K. McDonald then suggested that- a subscription list be at once opened up in the room for all present to subscribe to the band what they thought proper. He would head the list by giving a guinea (hear. hear). Mr Steadmau ssiid he did not see why fifteen members of the corps .should be called upon to subscribe to the band when perhaps the others would not agree to it. They had not got their uniform yet, nor did they get much target practice now. Captain Dawson thought the corps sfot a \ ory fair share of ammunition. As for the uniforms he had done his utmost. Mr Knox said they had a permanent guarantee before them that the members of the band would rai>e £25 a year among>t ("hem towards the support of a bandmaster, provid.'d the corps found a like sum. Now, if the company would not pay it they must fall back npou the public, who, he felt sure, would not sec the band fall through for want of an instructor, and ho himself would guarantee a couple of pounds towards it. (Hear, hear.) | Mr Coleman said, that in the Thames i each member subscribed towards the band, and lie did not see why it should not be j done here, but let the officeis draw up j j rules, which should be adhered to. It nny objected there wa.s a remedy — strike them off the rolls. Mr McDonald then proposed a resolution to tho effect that each member be asked to sign his name for the amount, of subscription he could uffoid towards the th<* Band, Mr Knox seconded. Mr Coleman proposed as an amendment " That rules be drawn up by the officers of the corps, compelling each member to pay so much towards the band per month. Mr Steadman seconded the amendment. Mr Knox said he did not believe in the amendment, as it was not practicable, and would not work. He thought that each member Bhould give a& much as he could afford, and then the public would provide the rest. Mr Field thought Mr McDonalds proposition a very feasible one. After the corps had subscribed so much they might get regular subscriptions. Mr Coleman. begged to withdraw his amendment, provided his seconder was agreeable. Captain Dawson did not agree with the subscriptions being made compulsory, as it would be the means of breaking up the corps. They ought to do everything- in their power to nurso the company until the uniforms were obtained. Mr R. Gwynne said that if his memory served him right he was the first honorary member to speak at the formation of the corps, when he stated that he did not think it would be a success. It was a micnomer to call the band the Hamilton Light Infantry Band. The company had done very little towards the band — in fact nothing; and if he was to judge by the small attendance of members present, he waa afraid that they had not the samo amount of interest in. ifc that others had. It oueht to be a town band to make it get on. The band was not progressing, and why ? Because there were no funds to provide a bandmaster. What they wanted was an efficient teacher who would bring them out and provide music also. There was a great amount of credit to be given to the members of the band, for they had given, their time and got ou remarkably

well. Hp w;is not at all afraid of the difficulty about the fand^, but he was afraid the band would fall through unless something: was done, and that ><0073. Now, if the Volunteers there to-night would pet £10 he would write his cheque for a similar amount as toon as the money was subscribed and placed in the captain's hands. (Cheer-*). The Secietuy then handed round a subscription, list, and the sum of £11 Ss6d was subscribed. Captain Dawson informed the meeting of the amount, when Mr G-wynne .said he would increase his amount to 11 guineas, (hear, hear), making the total amount euWribed £22 19s 6d. Mr Gwynne paid they had now made a fair start, and as soon as the amount was paid he would hand in his cheque. He trusted fche company would take an interest in the band. There was one remark he would like to make, and that was in reference to a halance fctill remaining unpaid on the instruments. He had endeavoured to get all in he possibly could, and he regretted to say that the sum of €30 was still owing. It was unfair lhat an officer should pay the sum out of his own pocket, ond a shame to the Hamilton public that the instruments were not paid for and pl.tced in the members hands out of debt. He thought they should get up a concert to pay off the gentlemen who had so kindly come forward and paid for the instruments when funds were not available. He felt certain the concert would be a success. Mr Knox suggested that a promenade concert should be held on the fiv->t moon-lig-ht night on the bridge, and a charge of Is each be made. He had no doubt but that if the Council were written too on the subject, they would give their consent. Captain Dawson thought it waft an excellent idea. They could realise a £10 note, and with very little expense. At the suggestion of the captain, both the resolution and the amendments were withdrawn. Mr Knox asked the captain about the uniform*. He could not, for the life of him, understand how the corps was kept so long -without them. They ought to have had them long ago (hear, hear). Captain Dawson, in replying, stated that the offireis, as well as Colonel Lyon, had done their utmost in the matter. They had wiitten to the Government, and leceived a reply to the effect that nothing could be done until an answer had been received from the Home Government. Mr Knox thought fche captain ought to go direct to the two members for the <'i«triot, now they were here in Hamilton, and press on thorn the necessity of getting the uniforms at once. Surely the sum required was not much, and their word would go a long way to smooth the matter over. In fact, they should not give them another vote until they get the uniforms. (Laughter). Captain Daw.son p'xmi^ed to interview the members as soon as possible, and he felt convinced the? would do their utmost. He then asked the meeting who was to be appointed bandmaster r 1 Mr McDonald propo&od Mr Culpan as bandmaster, and spoke in high terms of that gentleman's abilities. Band Sersrt. Henry propo-ed Hcrr Collin as bandmaster. He thought he was a most elligible person, as he had occupied the position of bandmaster in the French navy. After some desultory conversation, Mr Richard Gwynne th'-ught the band should have a say in selecting their bandmaster, and he was sure that they would take care and choose a good one. I If at any time the bind found that the ! gentleman who received the appointment was not competent then by all means change him and get another one. He believed in the band being free and unfettered, and proposed the following amendment : — ' 'That the band be asked to confer with the officers in appointing a Committee to select a bandmaster. " Mr Knox seconded Mr Gwynne's amendment. Mr McDonald withdrew his proposition, and the amendment w«is? earned uuanimou&ly. A vote of thanks to the Captain for presiding closed the proceedings.