Band to be Maintained

There was an attendance of nearly 200 at a public meeting at the Victoria Hall on Monday evening convened for the purpose of taking into consideration the affairs of the band generally, and for the purpose of electing office bearers for the ensuing twelve months. Prior to the meeting a torchlight procession by the Sale Fire Brigade headed by the Band paraded the streets to the hall. Mr C. R. Geoghegan, town-clerk, was voted to the chair.

 The Chairman stated the object of the meeting, and said the Band had at the present time a balance in hand of £3 19s 5d.

Mr Rainer asked for some particulars as to the constitution of the Band, and as to its past management, and suggested that Mr Coverdale might supply them with the information.

Mr Coverdale, who has been for, 24 years secretary to the band during the later years of which he has practically had full control then tendered the history of the band since its inception. He pointed out the difficulties the band had to contend against in the past and strongly favored the maintenance of the present band in preference to the establishment of a new institution. - The present position of affairs had been brought about by the fact that the band had been overdrawn to the extent of £75 for which the committee were responsible. An effort had been made to reduce the debt and thanks to the subscriptions of a number of' liberal townsmen it was attended with success, with the result that they had now a small credit balance. It was his wish that the matter be placed solely in the hands of the public to decide whether the band should be maintained or not. He advocated the engagement of a bandmaster, without which the band could not thrive, and eulogised the abilities of Mr Paul, the present bandmaster. The town wanted a band and would have one, and it was easier and better to maintain the present one than establish a new one. He felt certain that, with unanimity of purpose the question of supporting the band could be easily disposed of. The matter was now in the hands of the public to deal with. Mr Coverdale was heartily cheered for his lucid address.

After some desultory discussion, Mr Gibson asked if the Borough Council gave any monetary support to the band.

The Chairman: No.

Mr Coverdale said that with the chairman’s consent he would like to say a few words in reference to that question. The Borough Council, he said, for some years were in the habit of contributing annually to the funds of the band until some years ago a certain councillor asked at the council table if it was legal for the council to thus contribute and insisting, upon an answer to his question he was informed that it was not legal. That ended the council's support. It had been the practice however, for the Mayor to contribute £5 5s out of his allowance annually towards the maintenance of the band.

Mr Coverdale moved, ''That this meeting considers it necessary that the Sale Borough band be maintained.''

Mr Bowen seconded the motion, which was carried.

M r Barry Taylor, said he had not the slightest doubt that support would readily be accorded the band as in a recent canvas by him for funds in only one part of the town he had met with liberal support and only two refusals.

The Chairman asked for a motion for the election of a committee. In the past the committee was composed of three trustees (Messrs J. Coverdale, G. H. Wise and C. Mackintosh), with nine members elected by the public and three by the members of the band.

Mr Barry Taylor moved that the following members constitute the committee:- Messrs J. Brain, E. C. Gallagher, J. O'Connor, E. Bowen, J. H. Cartledge, G. A. Barry, W. Lyon, W. Puttick and J. C. Gibson together with three representatives of the band (Messrs R. Wynd, T. Wain and R. Biggs).

Mr Staveley seconded the motion which was carried.

Mr Brain moved, and Mr J. O’Connor seconded, "That Mr Barry Taylor be appointed honorary secretary. The motion was carried.

Mr S. F. Treloar was appointed hon. treasurer on the motion of Mr Hutchinson, seconded by Mr Legge.

Mr O'Connor. moved, and Mr Bowen seconded, " That the secretary and treasurer be exofficio members of committee”. Carried.

The Chairman announced that Mr H. A. Luke had generously placed the hall at the disposal of the meeting that night free of cost. (Applause).

A hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting.