Te Aroha Brass Band.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43324, 12 May 1908, Page 2

Te Aroha Brass Band.

TRUSTEESHIP, DISCUSSED'

A special meeting of the Te Aroha Band took place in the Band room on Thursday evening last. Present: Messrs Beswick, Steve Hill, Buchan, J. Hill, R. Fawcett, E. Bygrave, Crickett, junr., Donovan, Bougan, Binstead, Kean, Annan, Spence; and Bevey, the last three mentioned being Council representatives. Mr Beswick was voted to the chair, and called upon the Secretary (Mr Bougen) to read the notice convening the meeting as follows :—“ A special meeting of the Te Aroha Band will be held in the Band room at 8 o’clock on Thursday, 7th May. , Business : To discuss ways and means of placing the Band in a more sound position, and to consider the position of the trustees Messrs Sherlock and Mclnman. The Chairman said he understood that the matter of the Trusteeship had been amicably settled by the Mayor (Mr R. L. Somers). The contemplated difficulties had been overcome, and that the preliminaries as to the final settlement would be settled by Messrs Wild (Town Clerk) and Sherlock (one of the trustcGß) • Mr Tom Donovan, bandmaster, fully explained his action in connection with the Band trusteeship, etc., and his reasons for getting legal opinion thereon. Some time ago he was asked to take charge of the Band, he did so, but after a few weeks’ practice began to see grave trouble ahead, and a repetition of the former disputes that had ensued. He consulted leading business men and supporters of the Band and decided to cease practising, .until a straight-out agreement was arrived at with the trustees. He was not aware what arrangements had been made by the Mayor with Mr Sherlock, and regretted very much Mr Somers (the Mayor) could not see his way to he present. Whatever he (Mr Donovan) had done in the matter was solely in the interests of the Band and town. He was totally opposed to. Sherlock getting any gratuity, as he considered. the other members of the Band had worked just as hard as he had. As the Bandmaster he considered that the pleasure, a man. derived from belonging to a band —if it was his hobby —was recompense enough. Mr Spence said the matter had been left with Messrs Sherlock and Wild to fix up. Mr Devey said one of the conditions under which Mr Sherlock was prepared to hand the room, etc., over, was that the Council gave him a guarantee in writing that he would not be responsible to the old band. . . Mr Donovan moved “ That Ihe time is opportune for the vesting of the room in the Borough Council, and that the. truss tees be relieved of their trust.” This was seconded by Mr Fawcett and carried. After some considerable discussion Mr Sherlock entered the room. Mr Sherlock said he had been interviewed by the Mayor with a view to getting the trustees to relinguish their trust to the Borough Council. He said it was. the first time he had been approached re this matter in a decent manner. Previously he had been spoken to in a bullying, bouncing sort of a style, which he would not tolerate. He was quite prepared to hand the trusteeship over to the Borough Council, provided he got a clearance from the Council in writing that he would not be responsible to the old Band. He would not hand the Bandroom, etc., over to the present Band. He did not recognise them in the matter. Several bandsmen present considered that Sherlock should deal with the present Band, as the Council had nothing to do with it. Mr Sherlock stuck to his opinion, and after a heated discussion he left the meeting. The frequent interruptions of several of those present made it impossible to proceed with the business in anything like harmony. A resolution was moved by Mr Donovan and seconded by Mr Crickett “ That the Band decline to deal with the trustees on the understanding that Mr Sherlock has ruled that they have no authority in the matter.”

te aroha band building. The following is a statement of revenue and expenditure for year ending May 31st, 1907 :

G. SHERLOCK, This tee. Audited and found correct, F. WILD, 9/5/08.

AN OPINION.

In order to ascertain his correct position as a trustee, Mr George Sherlook, sought advice of Mr E. J. Clendon, solicitor, Thames. The following is a correct copy of the opinion received, dated Thames, May 7th, 1908 : With reference to the questions submitted, I am of opinion tbat the title and building thereon are the property of the remaining Trustees upon behalf of the original Te Aroha Band and can be disposed of by such Trustees in terms of the authority and discretion vested in them by the Band. Further that the new Band formed last year has no legal claim to or right over the section or building, unless of course they purchase it at a price satisfactory to the Trustees. I think if the Trustees handed over the property to the new Band other than by sale at a fair market value they would be liable for a breach of trust.”

EEVENUE- £ 8. d. Balance from previous year , 19 14 9 Dancea and Social . 10 0 0 Bent of Band room . 12 1 0 Donations and Subscriptions . 0 8 0 Total . £42 3 9 expenditure. £ s. d. Petty Cash..i 0 13 0 Repayments of loan 25 0 0 Rates, insurance, repairs, etc., 11 10 11 37 3 11 Balance in hand ... . 4 19 10 Total ... ... - . 42 3 9 Cash balance’ at 31at May, 1907 . ... 4 19 10