MUNICIPAL BAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 54, 1 February 1938, Page 4

MUNICIPAL BAND.

ELECTION OF OFFICEItS. [ The annual meeting of the Feilding i Municipal Band was held last evening, Mr T: Collins (Mayor) presiding ! over ia good attendance. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.. In moving the adoption of ’ the report, Mr Collins spoke in glow- ' ing terms of the work of the ladies’ 1 committee. 1 The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—Patron, Hon. J. G. Cobbe, M.P.; president, Mr Col- ■ li.ns; vice-presidents, Messrs T. Conwell, E. H. Brewer, James Knight, C. F. Johnston, A. J. ICellow and R. M.Watson; general secretary, Mr C. H. Tate; .assistant-secretary, Mr E. A. Garlick; treasurer, Mr T. Collins; auditor, Mr C. Aitken ; general committee, Messrs L. JJoulds, P. P. Stevens, i H. Kent, A. J. Wood, F. S. Collier, G. Wilkinson, W. H. Clayton, F. Kendall; delegates to New Zealand Band Conference, Messrs T. Collins and F. L. Fleetwood. Mr Stevens eulogised the work of the president and stated that had it not been for his efforts the band would not be in the highly satisfactory position that the balance-sheet revealed. Returning thanks, Mr Collins said that he had renewed his interest in the band and was particularly keen to see it do well at the_ contest this month. The financial position had not been better than it was at present. The band was in better shape now than when it entered for the last contest. Particularly keen interest was being taken in the coming contest and he was confident Feilding w'ould do well. Continuing, Mr Collins said that the band was indebted to the Borough Council, which assisted it by giving employment to its conductor and also by way of a grant of £2OO. In the past it had been extremely difficult to keep a conductor in the town, and it. could safely be said that the council had taken the first step in the reorganisation of the band. Since then matters had gone ahead most satisfactorily. It was '■ decided that Messrs Tate and Garlick draft a letter to the council expressing the committee’s and the hand’s appreciation of "\vhat had been done in their interests. In view of his loyal support and keen interest ns a member, it was agreed that Mr T. Conwell of Awahuri be sent a letter of thanks. A motion of sympathy with the -relatives of the late Mr W. F. Jacob, of Kiwitea, was carried in silence It was agreed that the Fending Caledonian Pipe Band’s good wishes for success in the coming contest be reciprocated. The registrar and librarian, were voted their usual honoraria. It was resolved that the incoming committee be recommended to go into the question of securing honorary members. It was also decided that arrangements be made for the band to periodically visit outlying townships to render programmes of music. CONDUCTOR’S REPORT. Mr J. L. Fleetwood (conductor) in his report, stated, inter alia:—“Starting with eleven players at the first two practices in May,. 1937, I concentrated upon building up the band to full contesting strength, 25 players

plus drums. The weekly practices were attended by practically 100 per cent, but the holiday period certainly interfered with contest practices. A good effort lias been made since, and considering the seasonal occupations of some members it is satisfactory. The band has been fortunate in being able to enlist the services of a few seasoned players who had practically retired from- brass band work, ancl are now really keen members again; also there are four new residents in the town who were formerly members of contesting bands, and have joined up and are pulling their weight. The bandsmen greatly appreciate our president’s efforts regarding the nefv instruments and finance attached thereto, also the work of Messrs Guy and Stevens and the capable ladies’ committee, in support of Miss 0. Sporle’s candidature in the recent carnival. It was a worthy effort and is greatly appreciated. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officers of the band for their co-operation at all times, especially mentioning Messrs Garlick, Wilkinson and Smith, and also our secretary (Mr Tate). A number of boys have been drafted from the learners’ class into the band, and some are showing good promise indeed. It was good to see the older members offer to take secondary parts and so encourage the younger players in solo parts. The results obtained during my eight months’ conductorship are higihly satisfactory, and although it is rather short notice (the band not having attended a Dominion contest for ten years) our motto for Palmerston North is ‘Nil Desperandum.’ Mr Levy has full charge of the military part.” The report was adopted.