GISBORNE CITY BAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2183, 12 September 1907, Page 2

GISBORNE CITY BAND.

ANNUAL MEETING." The annual mooting of flic Gisborne City Band was held last evening at the Hand room. 11l the absence of flic Mayor, Air. A. G. Beero was voted to tho chair, there being a fair attendance.

GoM-uIXTEE S REFORT, the comuiittoo’s report pointed out thus a largo amount had passed tuiougn tile books since the amalgamation of tho two bands. Engagements aud spooial contributions warned brought in £72 6s. Public subscriptions totalled £lOl 9s id, but as £ll3 4s was subscribed for the special purpose oi tho Christchurch trip, it only meant £37 19s Id for general purposes, which was inadequate for carrying on tho Band as it should bo managed. The committee expressed the hope that the peophg of tho district would assist the Band more liberally during tho coming year, when it was hoped there would not bo so many; calls on the public purse. Tho committoo congratulated members of tho Baud upon their performance at tho Christchurch contest. In the championship contest the position of fourteenth out of 29 hands was a creditable achievement. -In tho marching contest the Band made a very good display in being placed ahead of some of the crack bauds of tho oolony. On one of the points oi drill, it was ono of tho only two bands scoring the possible points. Since 'the organisation of tho Band, tho question of providing unifor ms had been faced, and the members equipped with a full set of 30 uniforms. Tho genoral appearanco of the Band had been very favorably commented upon by Air. AV. Barkes, who acted as their drum-major in the contest. Regarding finance, the committee considered -that now the first year (always the most expensive) had been passed, no difficulty should be experienced, provided fair public support was given, in liquidating the liabilities. The Christchurch trip liad oost £209 4s 2d, of which members subscribed £3O and the public £ll3 4s 2d, leaving a deficiency of £66 0s 2d to be made up out of the ordinary fund. This amount would have practically liquidated the amount of small liabilities now appearing on the balance-sheet. In conclusion the committee thanked the members for tho great interest shown in their work, and hope by increased efforts that the Band would soon rank among the best equipped and most efficient in New Zealand.

Tho Chairman, in moving the adoption of the balance-sheet, said that considering the difficulties for the first year the statement was a very good one. It was a carefully drawnup balance-sheet, and the assets were not over-stated. The total indebtedness of the Hind wias £283 12s 6d,

including £172 7s lid, tho present indebtedness at the bank. It was not an alarming amount considering the assets, which were £474 9b in excess of the liabilities. He looked forward to the coming year placing the Band on a bettor financial footing.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted : President, Air. J. Townley (re-elect-ed) ; vice-presidents, Alessrs. AV. L. Rees, AA ; . A. Barton, R. D. B. Robinson, J. AVarren, J. AV. Nolan, J. Browne, AV. D. Lysnar, J. AVhinrav, AV. AVebb, J. Colley, A. AV. Rees, AV. Miller, J. Sheridan, T. Adair, J... AV. Bright, AA r . Pettie, A. F. Kennedy. J. H. Aislabie, P. Alaher, Cyril AA’hite, F. AV. Griffiths, AV. Lissant Clayton, J. Somervell, A. Sawyer, E. H. Alunn, Judge Jones, Hon. Oapt. Tuoker, Captain Beefe, Lieut.-Col. AA’inter, Dr. AVilliams, and Captain Toanbleson. It was decided that the election of Band officers take place half-yearly, a balance-sheet and report to be made at the end of each term. On the recommendation of the committee it was decided that the title of “Bandmaster” be retained, the second in command (now known as the musical sergeant) to bo called

‘ ‘deputy-bandmaster.” The committee recommended tha

the minimum age for membership of ■ the band be 16 years. After discussion. in which the valuable part played by boys iii many bands was instanced, ah amendment was carried that lads from 12 upwards be accepted as pupils, but not admitted to full membership until recommended by the bandmaster.

Air. Frank Pickford, nominated by tho committee, was elected bandmaster pending a permanent appointment. Air. J. Richards was elected dep-uty-bandmaster, Air. F. Albrecht sergeant, Air. A. Al. Pickford chairman, Mr. E. R. Aliller corporal, Air. E. lteedy lance-corporal, "Air. J. AleConliell secretary and treasurer, Air. A\ r . Faulkner assistant secretary, Air. P. Alorris librarian, Alessrs. F. Quigley

and G. AVildish assistant librarians, Air. P. Alorris caretaker. The appointment of drum-major was held over pending a reply from Air. AA\ Parkes, the position being temporarily filled by Mr. E. Spurdle. Alessrs. E. R. Aliller, J. Richards,

AV. Faulkner, and P. Alorris were appointed on the committee, and Air. A. G. Beero auditor. GENERAL.

Mr. A. Rogers (late of Masterton), who is solo-cornet in the Band, wrote asking that the question of paying him a salary of £2O per annum for his services be considered. He stated that the solo cornet in a number of

other bands was a paid member, and if his services were satisfactory he desired to be placed on the aime footing. In discussion one instance of where an honorarium was paid was mentioned, but members declared that it was not a general custom, even in the leading bands. The feeling of the meeting was totally against any distinction being mado between players in the band, or the introduction of the principle of payment to members. Mr. Rogers’ proposition was unanimously declined. A motion by Mr. Spurdle that a levy of 3d per week be made on each member as the nucleus of a fund for presentations, social xnirposes, etc., wus defeated by a large majority. Members, however, were agreeable to the committee interviewing the trustees to see if a small percentage of moneys earned could be set aside as a kind of private fund for the band, members a<t present having to put their hands in their pockets for iittle incidentals of the kind. The Chairman (Mr. Beere) said the trustees did not deal with the funds, hut were liable for the overdraft. Their functions were to exercise a general oversight on behalf of the citizens. Once free of liability there was no restriction on the Band as to disposal of funds. Tuesdays and Fridays of <*ach week were fixed as the practice nights. A vote of thanks was accorded the retiring officers.