GISBORNE CITY BAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4002, 7 August 1915, Page 2

GISBORNE CITY BAND.

PROPOSAL TO BOOST THE FINANCES.

BAND FUND INAUGURATED. STRONG COMMITTEE SET UP. ! A meeting was convened at Findlay’s Rooms last night with tho object , .of putting the finances of the Gisborne City Band upon a satisfactory footing, ; It will be remembered that'the Rand ‘ generously agreed to forego £IOOO to which it was entitled from the proceeds of tho recent Gisborne Queen Carnival, and this patriotic action earned for the musicians the goodwill of a great many people, who promised that when the Carnival was over assistance would be forthcoming for the Band. Last night's meeting was convened by Messrs John Townloy, James Brown, and W. F. Cedorwall. There wore present: Messrs J. Townloy, James Brown, W. F: Coderwall, .1. A. Nicol, T. Leslie, F. Reltie,. A. H. Wallis, J. H. Onnond, R, G. Downio, J. C. E. Turner, A. Jones, W. Webb, C. W. Muir, I. Mil-field, F. R. Ball, H. E. Hill, W. Neil, -0. Knopp, J. Mitchell, W. Norman, G. Hart, G. O'Neill, A. Swann, A. Jacksou, J. Davies, iS. Mumis, T. Donovan, W. Dayman, and others. Mr John Townloy presided, and, after explaining the object of the meeting, read apologies from Messrs R.,1). lb Robinson, T. G. Lawless, F. \V. Nolan,, 11. Kenway, A. Zaebariali, M. L. Foster, and C. Adair. Proceeding, Mr Townloy said the object of tlie meeting was to form a strong committee to raise a fund to put the Band upon the footing on which it ought to be. For many years the Band had been crawling along. Tho present was a time when they wanted a Band more than ever,' and j it should, bo a pleasure to help such a body of men. They wanted new uniforms; in fact, they wanted a new rig out from top to bottom. Whether the Band should be municipalised or not could be considered later. He moved that this meeting decido to form a City Band fund.

Mr A. H. Wallis said a City Band fund was a very necessary thing. The City Band had been very active in connection with tne recent Queen Carnival. In fact, had it not been for the Band they would have had no carnival. Their patriotic action in standing out of the Carnival had done a great deal to swell the amount taken. They had seen the Band at tho Declaration Day demonstration at the Trafalgar Band rotunda. They appeared to have aniicuiated instruments, while all of them were in mufti. The Salvation Army Band had new instruments and smart uniforms, and they wanted to start a fund to give the’ Band a now set of instruments and clothe them as they should be clothed. He had _ much pleasure in seconding the motion to set a fund going. Mr F. Pettio supported the motion. He said ho had been looking forward to this meeting for years. The Bandin the past had had to scratch along anyhow they could, anti augment their funds by securing engagements, from racing clubs and similar gatherings, 1 and in these they were always beaten down to the smallest fee. Mr Brown said he had been connected with the Band for 37 years. He did not consider that the Band should have to scratch round for engagements. 'fixe citizens should support the Band. Surely the district could afford it. They should have no difficultv in equipping and maintaining the'Baud in such a way that they could be a credit to the town. (Applause). _ , t , The motion was then put, and coined unanimously. The election of a committee was thou proceeded with, and resulted as follows: President, His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. G. Sherratt), vice-presidents, Messrs J. Townloy, James Brown, and J. W. Bright; committee, G. Stock, \ 11. Wallis, ii. Kenway, F. St. Nolan. H. E. Bright, J. li. Kells, T. Leslie, F. W. Pet-tie. >l. li. Foster, O. Adair. W. Webb. J. C. E. Turner, J A. Nicol, T. G. Lawless, J. H. Ormond, 1. Miiffiold, F. It. Ball, and T. Adair; bon. treasurer, Mr C. W. Muir: bon. secretary, Mr H. How aid Feilding; assistant secretary, Mr C. G. Bayiiss. . Mr Turner asked ii it was intended to limit tho amount of the fund. Mr Wallis: Let us get all we ca.i. The Chairman said the first duly would be to see what was l'oquii-i- , and to Mien get to work. Air Turner said he wanted to know whether it was proposed to rig the Band out, and then let the n serai-h along for the future, or to arrange for a permanent income for the The Chairman said they into to arrange for a permanent income, imr that would lie a matter for ilie executive.

Mr. Wallis said they did not want to limit the fund hi any way. '1 h* y could always carry the surplus forward. , Mr Brown said he did not see why the Gisborne Band should not be returned to its old status as a Garrison Band. A little pressure brought to Pear on the Government should succeed in this being done. Mr Cederwall said the question of t-lie municipalisation ol' the Band had the out-and-out support and _ sympathy of the Mayor. The citizens m subscribing to the fund would want to know how it was going to be administered. The meeting that night was to start a fund going, and set up a committee. His own idea was that mo committee when they had secured the money should go to the Borough Council, and ask them to municipalise, the Band, and subsidise it each year. The Council could then appoint two of its members and one business man to act as trustees for the fund. He had no doubt that they would get the heartiest support from the citizens. It was decided that the general committee should elect the executive. Mr Ormond asked if the Band would ho agreeable that outsiders should father it in the manner suggested. Mr C. J. Knopp. cliairman of the City Band, said that was a matter which tho Band would have to consider. They had several propositions as to tho future of the Band. One was that they should go in with the National Reserve, and another was that they should become a Regimental

Bond. , Mr T. Donovan, secretary of tiie Band, said that he thought the feeling of the Band would be that the fund should bo administered by the present trustees of the Band. Messrs J Townlev, J. Brown, and Maior Beere. There was no chance of the Band becoming a Regimental Baud One condition was that there should not ho more than 10 members over Territorial age. This would be impossible, as bandsmen did not learn to play properly until they were over the Territorial age. ■ Mr Dayman pointed out that there was no capitation for Regimental Bands now. , , Mr Donovan said that there was no such thing as a Garrison Band now. If the Band did become a regimental band the Government would take over the instruments and the band room Mr Cederwall announced that tie Savage Club Korero m aid of the Band fund had been fixed for hriday, August 17, at the Opera House. Mr Nicol ; The first shot. The Chairman: And a very good one, too. . . Mr C. W. Muir, the treasurer announced that to date £230 8s had been collected for the Band fund Iho donators were as follows: Sports Executive £SO, Mr W. G. Sherratt £oO, Anonymous £SO, John Townlev £M, John Tombleson £5, Nemo £1 Is, J • 1-T. Ormond £lO, T. G. Lawless £3 3s, E. Coop £2 2s. A. D. Clmsu £1 Is, H. J. Grieve £1 Is, J. R. Jones £l. A vote of thanks to Mr Townley for presiding terminated a most successful meeting.