BANDS AND BANDSMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 84, 8 April 1905, Page 10

BANDS AND BANDSMEN.

(By Presto.)

In conversation with a friend last week who had just returned from £*>c Thames, I learnt that things'were very slow in the mining town, and in consequence the bands were suffering, and that a project was on foot for the amalgamation of both bands- This I •consider a move in the right direction, as it is preferable to have one good band than two inferior ones. Hauraki gaye a splendid a-ccount of themselves at the late contest, especially seeing they .had so many boys in their number, but could not a better band be sent away to the next contest if the two we As amalgamated? ' I think so. Not only do two "bands in a, small town make it hard for musical progression, but it hampers them financially. If there was one band the public support would be sufficient, but the two splits the sympathy, and as a result both are struggling.. Thames is undoubtedly a musical town, especially is it enthusiastic over band matters, and I would like to see the union of the two bands brought alxmt, because I think it will be advantageous in every way. A great deal of amusement has been caused by the fact that the Waihi Band lost bull a point through one of its members scratching his nose, and in many places it has been put down as a joke- To make sure on the point, I was speaking to the "Star ,, reporter from whom it emanated, and he assured mc that it was a fact, the judge who docked the half point telling him so. The fact evidently reached Australia, for "Ran* bier," in the "Bandsman," writes as follows:— r Just- ■waihi scratched I cannot say, But still he scratched his nose, And lost the prizp by half a point, Great Scott, iiow deep his woes. He felt a creeping at his back, And then—Oh, hearken here, Hβ could have sworn that something bit Him rijrht behind rhe ear. It crept beneath his singlet and Like liprhtnins 'neath his clothes, And ended up by nipping him Besides the famous nose. And then he scratched as I would do Were I iv such a fix, i Bnt stead of losing half a point ; I'd scratch enough for six. IBy half a point, just fancy that. For scratching at his nose, i Atid yet I venture to affirm He itched right to his toes. For waihi itched or waihi scratched I roally cannot say. But Waihi lost a splendid chance Because he scratched that day. Some few changes have taken place lin the personnel of our bands lately. jMr Jack Newdick was up from Waihi last week, and took back with him Mr lA. 'Artingstall, the champion slide trorai bone player of Australia, who has been ; playing euphonium for the Garrison Band for some time past. Messrs. Fox I and Hewitson have left Waihi, but in I their places arc coming two crack cor- : net players from "across the streak- -, Mr Trussell makes no secret of the fact that he is after the Besson challenge sbield, and he is going to have a hard ti-.y, to bring -it north,. .-There*,, in no i doubt, the bands are waking up, and the j Southern men-will not have it nU their j own way as in times past. What with the vast improvement in our two local bands, the possibility of an amalgamai tion of the two bands at Thames, thus j making a good contesting band, and j Waihi at top notch form, the prospects j of the North doing .well at Hawcra next i year arc indeed promising.

The First Battalion's ranks have been augmented by the BBb bass player from the Central Mission Band. He has the reputation of being a good player, and should be a decided acquisition to the Battalion.

The Garrison Band 'are holding an excursion to Lake Taktipuna next [Saturday afternoon, the 15th- The s.s. Albatross has been engaged for the trip, and the bund are landing and playing an hour and a half programme on the beach. Given a fine day. the trip should be a very enjoyable one, and I understand a line programme will he rendered, including '"Le Dommino Nor" and "El Dorado." The solo trombone player of this band, Mr Geo. Coutts, has in his possession a Pepper slide trombone that has quite a history. Before the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War he sent to America for this instrument, and while o v n the journey to Auckland the ship was captured by the Russians, and held by them for some months. Thinking there was no chance of his ever getting it the firm sent him another, and to his surprise the original instrument arrived safe and sound a few months back. It seems that after being held for some time the Prize Court held that the cargo was not contraband, and the ship was released.

Mr II- E. Tremain, the late bandmaster qf the City S.A. Band, went South last Sunday for a holiday, prior to his settling down in Waihi; and Mr A. Carlyon, solo cornet of the same band, has taken his departure for his home, Waihi. This leaves the band very badly off for cornets. No bandmaster has been definitely appointed, but four men have been given control week about—Mr Pipper first week, Mr Kirton second, Mr Gladding third, and Mr Webster fourthIt will be interesting to know how such a system works, for 1 am sure it is a novelty.

Another German band has arrived, and is playing about the streets. I do not think they are as good a band as the last lot were when they first visited this city. This band has a very good trombone player.

A military band has been formed in our midst, the conductor being Mr Jack . Ewart, and the members decided to call the band the "Ewart Concert Band." I heard them at practice last Tuesday in the West-street shed, and must say I i was terribly disappointed. I had heard a good deal about the band, and understand they are to play a programme in the Albert Park in a week or two, so thought they must be good. However, I do not wish to be too severe, but one thing I cannot pass by, as there is no excuse for it, and that is being out of tune. The band was as badly out of tune as a lot of kerosene tins. The solo cornet was blowing, far too loud, and was dreadfully flat; in fact, it was painful to listen to it. There seemed to be no balance at all, but there may not have been a full muster, and that would account for it. I would advise more practice before coming out in public- i The Central Mission Band have been unfortunate in losing their BBb bass and euphonium player, the latter, I understand," having gone into the country I for "work. I notice the Helping Hand Mission \ Band have added two tenor trombone to their number, and I hear more instruments arc-to be ordered. This is good, and , looks like business. -