APPRECIATION OF BAND WORK SHOWN MR W. JARRETT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 56, 28 October 1949, Page 5

APPRECIATION OF BAND WORK SHOWN MR W. JARRETT

The first annual reunion' of the Whakatane Citizens’ Band last Saturday was more than just an opportunity for ex-members to get together and reminisce. It was a suitable time to show appreciation of the work done over the years by one of the oldest members, Mr W. Jarrett, and his part in training the band to the high standard it was able to reveal when it attended the various championships. Mr Jarrett has had a long association with the band and the valuable and enthusiastic service he had rendered was recalled by the president, Mr A. J. Canning. Several times he had retired from the positnon of bandmaster Jmt always he was called upon to take up the position again, Mr Canning said. Last year he retired from the position to make way for his son Mr K. Jarrett. On his retirement Mr Jarrett was presented with a travelling rug and a substantial cheque while his wife received a fine leather travelling bag. These were gifts from the citizens of Whakatane presented through the town’s band. The band was formed first in 1914 under the name of the Whakatane Town Band. Later this was changed to its present name. From the start it was a struggle and the. first world war hit the band hard but in the twenties it was revived somewhat and was able to carry on. First if was under the control of the Whakatane County Council and then the Town Board. When Whakatane became a borough, the band came under the Borough Council from whom it receives an annual grant of £SO. In 1939 it was hit by the war and most of the members joined the services. It managed to keep going by forming a boys’ band and this provided good young members for the future.

During his speech on Saturday night Mr Canning appealed for a greater support for the band by old members and the general public and he urged that as many young new members as possible be obtained for the future.