BANDS AND BANDSMEN.

Auckland Star, Issue XXXVI, 21 October 1905, Page 10

BANDS AND BANDSMEN.

(By Presto.) "The Hamilton Town Band, on their : way home from the Feilding contest, passed through here on Monday last, but before they left by the train I made it my business to have a chat, with Mr H. Tristram (who is undoubtedly tbe most enthusiastic member in the band). He informed mc that the baud had quite decided not to go to the contest, and it was only when the Eeilding Contest Committee wired to say ''that they could not go on without them, and that they would pay their boards if they would go down," that they made up their minds to make the journey. Mr Tristram speaks very highly of the treatment they received at the hands of the Feilding people as a whole, and be says although the band did not do too well in the contest, tbe members are satisfied at being able to bring home five gold medals, one of which, by the way, he holds himself. Mr King (judge), in declaring Mr Savage (bandmaster) winner of the cornet solo competition, complimented him on his playing, and said that although he gave a beautiful ren-i dering of the solo, it was far beneath him, and felt sure that he was capable of playing one double, as hard- Among the others to get a gold medal is W. Walker, who was for something like twenty years a member of the Auckland Garrison Band. The band, which is to be strengthened by three or fonr more players, including Mr Birch (late ' euphonium player Ist Regiment Band), will play the same selection at the. Charity Contest, and should by then be able to give a fairly good account of themselves.

The Rotorua Town Band is practising fonr nights a week, and Mr Munro (bandmaster) seems to be confident that they will put up a very good performance at the Charity Contest.

Tbe Onehunga Band, under Bandmaster Hulse, has decided to compete in the contest also. It will be remembered that this band was only formed some thirteen months ago, but sintr that time has made wonderful progress, and to-day, in addition to being able to play a very fair programme of music, they have a membership of thirty-three. They will be the youngest band that has ever contested in New Zealand, and I am told that tbey have the youngest player.

The Garrison Band, nnder Lieutenant | A. Hunter, were playing at tbe benefit \ football match given in aid of the dis- j abled motorman last Saturday afternoon. I would just like to mention here that it I would look far better if one of the other city bands took a turn at this charity work. A friend of mine, who is an old j Auckland bandsman, tells mc that he has kept a count of the programmes given by the different bands in aid of , charity "during the last two years in j Auckland, and he sayr that if the mem-j bcrs of the Garrison Band were told | what the difference in numb p rs was tbey \ would be astounded. I should say that, this is another matter for the Auckland j Provincial Band Association to look into) i and regulate. \

The following information comes from Mr. P. M. Hansen, managing director Auckland Electric Tramways Company: \ "It is more than likely that, within the j course of the next four or five months, a tramways band will be started in Auckland. The idea in forming the hand is not to compete against any of the city bands, but simply to get the men to take an interest in the company, and to do the work connected therewith." Mr. Hansen states that he can get twenty-two performers, some of whom, as most of us know, are members of city bands, and axe real good instrumentalists. Should the movement meet with favourable con-1 sideration from the Home authorities it! has been decided that the band shall have, a set of the best instruments procurable, j which will cost something approaching £300. This is doubtless a step in the j right direction, and it cannot be disputed | that within the course oi two or three years this band should be one oi the best, i if not the best, in Auckland. I am told | that the Tramways Company's band in Sydney is a credit to that city; and ac- j cording to "Presto" of Wellington the' Tramways Band there is well on towards being the same. The latter correspond-1 dent, in writing to the "Canterbury Times," says: "The Tramway Band made its first appearance on Wednesday j last in the tram-shed, and played an excellent programme before Hie Worship the Mayor, City Councillors and a large gathering of peopbs. The band has made wonderful, progress, and is to be congratulated on its performance.. .HisWor-j ship tbe Mayor called for three cheers for the band, and expressed surprise at the wonderful advance made in so short a time. Bandmaster Baker should feel pr aod of his xxta."