The John Humphries Memorial Band Room in Havelock Street was opened on 27 October, 1951. (Taranaki Herald 29 October 1951)
The Opunake Federal Band was founded in 1909 and had considerable success under the leadership of conductor John Humphries. The band had a long battle with the local council to provide funding for a permanent practice room, and it was not until after Humphries' death that this was forthcoming. The building was named after him as a tribute to his outstanding leadership.
Like many other bands from small towns the band later went into recess and the band's instruments were given to Opunake High School. They were lost when a large fire destroyed much of the school in 1982.
Further Reading: Mickelson, Kate: The Clearing; A History of Opunake, 1989, pp 96-98.
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