MUNICIPAL BAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 May 1941, Page 4

MUNICIPAL BAND

VEAR OF PROGRESS DESPITE WAR DIFFICULTIES. RETIRING SECRETARY'S SERVICES EULOGISED. A further year of progress despite many difficulties created by players leaving for overseas service was reported at the annual meeting of the Masterton Municipal Band, held last night. Mr IVL Paris presided over a . <, good attendance. The secretary, Mr B. Rickards, intimated that he would not be seeking re-election this year. “Mr Rickards has been secretary of this band for the past 15 years. He has been a splendid, conscientious worker and we have been exceedingly fortunate in having his services,” said Mr G. W. Hutchinson (conductor) in paying tribute to Mr Rickards’s services. He congratulated Mr Rickards on the way he had administered the band’s finances over many years. Many members of the band spoke in similar strain.

The election of officers resulted:— Patron, Mr T. Jordan; president, Mr W. White; vice-presidents, Messrs F. H. Dunderdale, F. G. Maunsell, R. Krahagen, W. Kemp, E. F. Barton, R. Russell, H. B. Thomas, F. E. J. Ractliffe, J. H. Irving, G. D. Wilson, Trevor Beetham, P. Borthwick, L. B. Maunsell, G. T. O'Hara Smith, L. Pearson, W. L. Butler, F. J. Harrington, J. W. Card (Featherston), and F. Daniell; bandmaster, Mr A. Pearson; chairman, Mr M. Paris; drum major, Mr G. Stanton; sergeant, Mr R. Sayer; corporal and custodian, Mr M. Paris; secretary, Mr R. Sayer; treasurer. Mr' W. G. Lamb; auditor, Mr A. D. Low; management committee, Messrs R. Cottle, A. Fairbrother, A. Pearson, G. Stanton and R. Davies; programme committee, Messrs G. Hutchinson, A. Pearson and M. Paris.

The annual report, signed by the secretary, Mr B. jßickards. on behalf of the management committee states: “The year just past has been a difficult one for the band. Calls on members for military service has made it hard for the band to function in a normal way. This militated very much against balanced rehearsals. However, the policy of the band in training young players, together with the help of retired members. has helped the band to keep faith with the public and to answer every call on its services. To those old members who have thus assisted. the committee extends its heartiest thanks. The committee met on 14 occasions, 88 practices were held, and the band paraded publicly on 24 occasions. Thanks are again due to Mr W. G. Lamb (treasurer), and to Mr A. D. Low for gratuitous services so freely given. The support accorded by the Borough Council, the Press and the public of Masterton is also gratefully acknowledged. The balance sheet shows a credit balance at the Bank of Australasia of £65 19s 7d. at the Post Office Savings Bank of £97 Is. and excess of assets over liabilities of £558 125."