Hamilton Municipal Band
Following amalgamation of Hamilton and Frankton in April 1917, the Frankton Municipal Band was named in August 1917 as Hamilton's official municipal band, and thus was renamed the Hamilton Municipal Band.
Performances in 1917 included the Waikato Hospital, Steele Park, the Waikato Show, the sending off of soldiers from the Frankton Railway station, and several performances at the Band Rotunda. The band finished the year playing Christmas carols on Victoria Street to raise funds to pay for uniforms, and by playing 'Auld Lang Syne' and other songs at the 'Theatre Royal' on New Years Eve. 1918 continued to be busy, with performances including the Matamata A&P Show, the hospital, Te Waikato Sanitorium, and the Band Rotunda, including a benefit for the Raetihi Bush Fire Relief Fund. They also played fundraising concerts for the Red Cross, the Returned Soldier's Associations, the Fire Brigade, the Boy Scouts, and sufferers of the influenza epidemic. They again played the year out outside the Waikato Times office.
between 1916 and 1920, much press was given to a dispute between the Municipal Band and the 16th (Waikato) Regiment Band, about ownership of instruments and other items, and of who is the official Hamilton Town Band.
In 1928, the band merged with the 16th (Waikato) Regiment Band to form the Waikato Regimental and Hamilton Municipal Band, under Bandmaster M.K. Mara.
Members
- Thomas Donovan - Bandmaster, 1917-
- M.A. Donn - trombone, 1917
- L.H. McKenzie, 1918
- S. Ennis, 1918
- F. Sawyer, 1918
- A. Down, 1918
- H. Salmon, 1918
- J. Taylor, 1918
- Morrison, 1918
- G. Stroud, 1918 (returning after three years at the front)
- William (Billy) Allen - Flugel Horn, 1918
- Stubbs - 1918
- Thorndon - 1918
- John M. Enerson - 1918
