Presentation.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 379, 13 August 1903, Page 5

Presentation.

During an interval in the performance of the Band Concert in the town hall last Thursday evening, Bandmaster Bringans was the recipient of a presentation from the citizens of Alexandra. The presentation took the form of a handsome gold albert, with attached appendage, suitably inscribed. Owing to the unavoidable absence ot his Worship the Mayor (Mr Kelman), the presentation was made by Mr Closs, who apologised for Mr Kelman's absence. In the course of his remarks Mr Closs said that, on behalf, of the citizens, he had been requested to make a small presentation to Bandmaster Bringans as a token of their esteem for him personally, and to mark their appreciation of his worth as a bandmaster. Mr Closs outlined the history of the band, pointing out that it was not one of yesterday's growths, but had reached the respectable and robust age of 30 years. Some of the very first members to be enrolled were still to the fore, and continue to take as active and earnest an interest in the band as they did formerly. During the 30 years of its existence the band had had many ups and downs, financially and otherwise, and was always more or less lacking in cohesion. The lack of cohesive principle was ascribed to the want of an enthusiastic and competent bandmaster possessing the suaviter in modo fortiiey in r$ quality, without which no I one need aspire to be a successful bandmaster. And it was the speakers i opinion that bandmasters were like poets—not made, but born. Continuing, the speaker said that three years ago Mr Bringans was appointed bandmaster and his efforts in cementing the disorganised parts into a compact unit, even with almost worn-out instruments, had been successful—a state of affairs which was creditable alike to himself and to the bandsmen with whom he was associated. The band trustees realised the difficulties against which the bandsmen had to contend with worn-out instruments; hence, on the suggestion of Mr W. Fraser, the trustees resolved to borrow from the Bank of New Zealand £2OO, on a joint and several guarantee, for the purchase of new instruments. The guarantors trusted that the public would see them through the matter, and their faith in that direction was amply fulfilled by the readiness with which the public responded at the bazaar held some eleven months ago. After paying for the instruments, the trustees had on hand a considerable sum, and it was then resolved that the bandsmen be properly clothed in uniform, The cost of the uniforms was £9B, of which, £45 has been paid, leaving a balance of £53. With the proceeds from the concert, and the cash in hand, the trustees hoped to liquidate the whole debt. In conclusion, Mr Closs impressed the fact that the band instruments and uniforms were the property of the public, and were held in trust for them by the trustees. He suggested that a band contest be held early next year on the lines of the contest held in Alexandra some few years ago. In addressing Mr Bringans, Mr Closs said :—" To make a successful bandmaster certain qualities are required. You, clearly, possess those qualities in a fairly high degree. The citizens, recognising your enthusiastic and disinterested efforts to bring your bandsmen up to a fair state of efficiency, have entrusted me with the pleasing duty of presenting you, on their behalf, with this token of their appreciation of your worth as a bandmaster. May you long live to wear this gold albert, and, when the time comes, hand it down to your heirs." In reply, Mr Bringans thanked Mr Closs for his kind remarks, and he assured the public that: he would prize the token of their regard for him, not for its money value, but for the feelings that prompted the donors to think of him so kindly. He assured the public that his work as bandmaster was to him a labor of love, and any praise accorded to him must be equally shared by the bandsmen, without whose able co-operation he could have done but little.—(Loud applause).