MASTERTON BAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 May 1939, Page 5

MASTERTON BAND

• ANNUAL MEETING & SOCIAL MANY PLAYERS LEAVE DISTRICT. I NEW UNIFORMS URGENTLY REQUIRED. The annual meeting of the Masterton Municipal Band was held in the Band Room on Wednesday evening. The election of officers resulted:— Patron, Mr Thomas Jordan; president, Mr W. White; vice-presidents, Messrs L. S. Nicol, F. J. Hunn, F. H. Dundcrdale, F. G. Maunsell, R. Krahagen, E. F. Barton, R. J. Young, R. Russell, W. Kemp, H. B. Thomas, W. S. L. Dickson, F. E. J. Ractliffe, J. H. Irving, G. D. Wilson, Trevor Beetham, P. Borthwick, L. B. Maunsell and G. T. O’Hara Smith; bandmaster, Mr A. Pearson; chairman, Mr W. Paris; drum-major, Mr S. W. Ihaka; sergeant, Mr R. Sayer; corporal (custodian), Mr R. Davies; lance-corporal (assistant custodian), Mr L. Gibbs; secretary, Mr B. Rickards; hon treasurer, Mr W. G. Lamb; hon auditor, Mr A. D. Low; management committee, Messrs R. Sayer, A. Pearson, B. Elliott, L. Gibbs and C. Cook; programme committee, Messrs A. Pearson, R. Davies, R. Sayer, M. Paris and B. Elliott. Various routine matters were discussed at length and the meeting was adjourned to a social evening held last evening in the Savage Club Rooms. Among those at the gathering were Councillors W. White (chairman), R. Russell and H. E. Gardner, together with the band’s late conductor, Mr R. J. Young, and several past members and friends of the band. Regret was expressed at the loss suffered by the band during the year by the death of two vice-presidents, the late Messrs James Candy and J. lorns. Mr Young expressed pleasure at the healthy position of the band’s finances as set out in the balance sheet. Mr Young also stated that the band was fortunate in having Mr G. Hutchison as conductor. Mr Hutchison’s ability in the training of young players was known to every member of the band. . In reply, Mr Hutchison mentioned the set-back the band had received by the departure of eleven members from Masterton to take up positions in other districts after the Feilding contest. These gaps had to be filled by inexperienced players who had worked hard in' order that the band could attend its many engagements. Mr Hutchison also mentioned that the time had arrived when new uniforms were a necessity. The band was well equipped with instruments but a uniform was needed which could be used for every occasion. Councillor White stressed the need for loyalty to the band. He stated that the Borough Council had the welfare of the band at heart and expressed the hope that the public of Masterton would help the band to obtain the uniforms which were badly needed. Several items were rendered during the evening by an instrumental quartet composed of band - members, a band choir and several individual bandsmen. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report stated that the past.year had again been a busy one for the band. The band competed at the Feilding Contest last October. Although eighty per cent of the members were new to contesting, the results attained, third in the Selection, Hymn, Quickstep and Aggregate, reflected great credit on the conductor, Mr Hutchinson, and spoke well for the enthusiasm of the members concerned. Since the Feilding contest . the strength of the band had been depleted .by the departure from Masterton of five leading cornet players, one trombone, one bass and one baritone player. In addition two players had been laid aside by recurring illness. The conductor was building up the membership by training young players. The committee offered him its best thanks for the hard work and long hours he had put into the band,* and for his unfailing good nature in the face of many difficulties. During the year the committee had met on 27 occasions, 103 practices had been held and the band had given 31 public performances-. The committee was pleased to report that the debt on the new instruments had been wiped off, but in doing so £l4 15s lOd had to be borrowed from the Contest Fund. This it was hoped to refund in the coming year. The thanks of the band were again due to Messrs W. G. Lamb (treasurer) and A. D. Low (auditor) for their gratuitous services during the year. The band gratefully acknowledged the splendid support received from the public, the Borough Council and the Press. The balance sheet showed a balance at the Bank of Australasia of £4O 13s 2d, at the Post Office Savings Bank of £7O 9s 7d, and assets over liabilities of £659 12s sd.