Historic Annual Reports

Members Express Disappointment at Public Support

 Members of the committee of the Sale Town Band on Tuesday night. expressed disappointment at the support being accorded the band by the public of Sale. They considered that if the community felt that the band was a public necessity and if they felt that the band had improved sufficiently to rouse a feeling of pride among the people, the least response that could be gained would have been a good attendance at the annual public meeting.

The Mayor (Cr. .T. E. Christie) presided and pointed out that the subscribers to and members of the band were at liberty to elect the officers they desired. The Sale Town Council exercised no control over the band, but the instruments which the band played were vested in the council.

In reply to a question, he said that in his opinion, the constitution which was drafted in 1904 was still the only guide the band had. If it was to be altered, it would have to be by notice of motion at the annual meeting. Mr. C. H. Uebergang gave notice that he would move that the constitution be brought up to date.

The election of officers resulted: President, Mr. C. H. Uebergang; vice-presidents, Messrs. Trimble and Skeen; r treasurer, Mr. J. W. Fidler; secretary, Mr. B. Sandford: and committee, Messrs. C. Kingswell, E. Grubb, J. Armstrong, P. Jordan, and J. W. O'Donnell, with three band representatives to be appointed.

The balance sheet presented by the treasurer showed that there had been a loss on the year's work. The committee opened with a credit of £50 8/6 and received a town grant of £42, proceeds of entertainments £87 12/5, engagements £14 51, Welcome Home Committee £10 10/, and other sundry amounts totalling £242 7/1. The expenses showed that the bandmaster's salary was £104, repairs and music £64 18/2, and other sundry accounts, leaving a credit balance of £46 4/4.

The Mayor handed over the chair to Mr. Uebergang, who thanked him for the interest he had displayed. Cr. Christie said that he felt that the band was doing an excellent job. The Sale Town Council was always ready to help and every effort was being made to have a hut erected which would provide a decent room in which to practice. The band should not be afraid to ask for what they wanted.

The bandmaster (Mr. J. McLean) said that musically the bandsmen had progressed most favourably, but the instruments were in such a bad state that further progress was not practicable. He felt that it was necessary to make a drive for funds to re-equip the band. Time after time, the instruments were found to be unserviceable and the job became increasingly difficult. For a complete refitting and equipping, the cost would be aproximately £3000, but he felt that Sale could be reasonably equipped for £1600. Members would realise that the cost of a cornet had risen from £23 before the war to £55 at the present time. These instruments were imported and the cost was high. He felt that more enthusiasm might be shown by the people of the town. He could not help noticing that few of the parents of the boys in the band bothered to come along to the meeting and that townspeople were conspicuous by their absence. It was most discouraging to say the least.

Mr. J. W. Fidler said that the band had received fair support when it played out during the year and felt that if the band could do as well next year, their financial position would improve. He realised the need for a drive for funds to do something about instruments and hoped that something would be done this year.

Mr. Rogers said that plans should be made to have a drive immediately. Mr. L. Pendlebury said that other appeals had prevented the band from launching a drive. Mr. B. Sandford said that he would like to see more enthusiasm by the public of Sale.

This year, it was likely that there would be a Gippsland band group and this would mean that Sale would get a weekend massed band recital, the proceeds of which would be ideal for the Sale band. There would probably be eight or nine bands. The president said that he proposed I that the committee go into plans for the drive immediately.

The bandsmen had shown their enthusiasm by a 95 per cent attendance at practice during the year. This was a remarkable performance by junior players and he hoped that the high percentage would continue. This was undoubtedly due to the fine efforts of the bandmaster both in the bandroom and outside.

They hoped that a ladies' committee would be formed to help the band and to give the boys something in return for their playing. He hoped that in twelve months’ time they would be in a profitable position. He thanked those who had ventured out on a bad on a bad night and hoped that the public support would improve as the year wore on.