SILVER BAND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 129, 16 March 1950, Page 6

SILVER BAND

COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL ' HIGH TRIBUTES PAID In recognition of the Ashburton Silver Band’s outstanding successes at the recent Dominion contest a complimentary evening, arranged by the citizens’ committee of the band, was held in the bandroom last evening. There was. a good attendance of bandsmen, supporters, and representatives of various local organisations. The president of the citizens’ committee (Mr C. H. F. Maynard) officiated during the evening as chairman.

The conductor of the band (Mr R. Milligan) remarked on the wholehearted support and loyalty from bandsmen, stating that it was only in this way that some degree of success could be achieved. Mr Milligan stated that the band had conducted itself very creditably at the recent contest, and it was a pleasure to find that a fortnight after the contest the band could appear in public with the same combination as that which played at the contest, which very few bands could do. The greatest pleasure in conducting a band was watching the progress of the younger players, and jt was a great source of pride to him to see soloists from the band in the top flight of the Dominion, said the conductor.

Drum-Major T. L. Davidson spoke on similar lines, and stated that quickstep practices had also been 100 per cent, attended.

During the evening Cr. H. G. Ferrier (representing the Borough Council) presented Mr Davidson with the medal awarded to the drum-major of the band securing highest military points in the A grade quickstep. The chairman regarded the band’s performance in the quickstep as an outstanding achievement and paid a tribute to Mr Davidson. The band finished_lo points ahead of the next band, in military points. Accepting the medal, Mr Davidson said he regarded it as the property of the band. Without the co-operation of all members success could not have been achieved.

The following toast list was honoured:—“The King”; “The Band,” proposed by the chairman and seconded by Cr. Ferrier, Mr C. Frew (Canterbury Provincial Bands' Association), and representatives of the Ashburton County ' Scottish Society’s Pipe Band and the Imperial Harmonica Band, and Mr J. Russell (an old bandsman) — responded to by the conductor; “Soloists,” Mr T. A. Bryant and replied to by Bandsmen J. T. Ibell, J. Davidson, K. E. Olliver and A. T. Bright; “Citizens’ Committee, supporters and local bodies,” Mr H. G. Ingram and responded to by Cr. Ferrier, Mr R. Lindsay (County Council), Mr T.’ Rattray (Citizens’ Committee), and Mr G. Kelly (Licensing Trust)'.