VOICE OF EXPERIENCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 169, 19 July 1941, Page 14

VOICE OF EXPERIENCE

The sergeant-major was giving a lecture to a batch of recruits.

"Now, suppose you were on sentry duty one dark night and someone walked quietly up behind you and put both arms round you so quickly you couldn't use your rifle or bayonet, what would you do?" he asked Private Smith.

"I'd just say. 'Cut that out, honey. I'm on duty,'" replied the private quickly.

On Gallipoli the bandsmen gave invaluable service as stretcherbearers. going between the firing lines when occasion demanded and attending their wounded comrades until death and disease had put over 90 per cent out of action. Indeed, Ist Wellington Infantry possessed only two at the evacuation. Well could one sympathise with that fine Canterbury bandmaster and onetime champion New Zealand cornettist. -when lie bitterly demanded "Kill 10 Turks for every bandsman killed," for he had lost half his band and it takes years to make a firstclass bandsman. Tommy Kains are not born every day, any more than Karl Ifwersens and Bert Cookes in Rugby football. In conclusion might I suggest that every lad of 12 to 16 years who shows promise be given every encouragement tw develop musical talents. "Invercargill'' was composed by A lick Lithgow, former bandmaster of Invercargill Garrison Band and later of St. Joseph's Band. Tasmania.