Desirability of Maintaining Band

A public meeting, convened by the Mayor, to consider the desirability of maintaining the Borough Band, was held in the Council Chambers on Friday evening, the Mayor (Mr Jensen), in the chair, who, in explaining the object of the meeting, said that he considered the Band was a useful and desirable institution, and should-be maintained, and he hoped someone present was prepared with a scheme for attaining the desired object, and that the matter would be enthusiastically taken up.

Mr Coverdale said he had met with such a large amount of sympathy in the matter, when getting the requisition signed, that he expected to see a much larger attendance at the meeting it was, however, the old story, "that the work was left to a few." When the Band was first started some six years ago, there was a tacit understanding that it was to be supported by annual subscriptions, the sum raised then only amounted to about £100, out of which.. material 'had; been, provided for. some 23 members, and had been vested in trustees., He then gave a resume of the career of the Band under a series of masters (which appeared to have been a somewhat chequered one), until, he said, accident brought the present bandmaster (Mr Harper), and he thought they now had the right man in the right place, and he was quite sure no better man could he found in the Colony. He (Mr Harper), however, found that he could not live on the small salary they had been paying him, and unless it was increased he would have to leave them; for the last two years no assistance had been asked from the public. During the last twelve months the band had earned (including some £15 balance from the previous year) £92 is 2d, out of' which they had to pay rent of hall, music, etc., as well as the bandmaster's salary, and they now found themselves with the sum of £1 15s 7d in hand. The Band had now arrived at such a state of efficiency, under Mr Harper's management, that they were qualified to perform sufficiently well to meet all local requirements. They had not perhaps done all that was expected of them by the public, but they had done all they could, and unless the public now came forward to assist them they would lose the services of the bandmaster, and then the band would collapse altogether. It was proposed to pay Mr Harper £2 per week, and in addition to this about £25 more would be required to pay necessary expenses. The amount earned by the Band was not sufficient to cover this, and they now asked the public for assistance. No pecuniary advantage had been gained individually by any of the men. Ho estimated that they could earn about £50 per annum and another £50 or £75 a year subscriptions from the public would keep the band afloat. He would like someone to suggest a scheme for raising the money:

Mr H. C. Staveley said the whole matter laid in a nutshell. Was the band to be supported or not? He thought it would be a very great pity to allow it to lapse, and as the, amount required was small, and so many rate payers took an interests in its welfare, a little concerted energy would meet the requirements of the case. He moved, "That in the opinion of this meeting the continuance of the band is highly desirable, and that subscription lists be now opened for the desired object. Seconded by Mr H. Luke.

Mr Barry suggested that the lists should be worded annual subscriptions, and further said that he considered the committee had displayed too much apathy in, the matter, as the working men, who ,would all give small subscriptions had been entirely tabooed in the matter, and the lists confined to Foster street and leading merchants.

Mr. Wise said as far as the apathy was concerned, he thought it lay on the side of the working men themselves, as none of them had ever attended their meetings.

Mr Topping thought the word " annual" should be omitted ; he knew from experience that the public in the matter of' giving subscriptions would not be bound to anything. At the same time, Mr Barry's remarks were worthy of consideration and a sufficiently large committee should be formed, that the town could be effectually canvassed. The motion was then put to the meeting, and carried.

The following gentlemen were appointed a committee of management for the ensuing year :-Messrs Wise, Jensen, Davies, Barry, Burrowes, Carruthers, Cheffins, Ross. and Dr. Reid; three to form a quorum.

Mr. Wise was re-elected Treasurer, and Mr Coverdale Secretary ; the latter gentleman being highly eulogised by Messrs Topping and Wise for the energy he had displayed in keeping the band alive so long. Mr Coverdale in acknowledging the compliment said that he would like to see a uniform provided for the band, as he believed it would be the means of cementing them together more, and the cost of providing the same would not amount to very much, and might be raised by means of a concert. There were vacancies in the band for a few more members which he would like to see filled up, all that was required of pupils, was that they should come regularly to practice.

A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the business of the meeting, when this committee met to make arrangements about canvassing for subscriptions it was also decided that Mr Harper's salary should be £2 per week from the 1st of January last. A discussion then ensued it reference to uniforms. Mr Burrowes suggested that a series of cheep promenade concerts be given in the Victoria Hall, as a means of raising the required amount. It was eventually decided that the committee confer with the band and find out their views as to what kind of uniform they would like.