THE GARRISON BAND.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14314, 27 March 1912, Page 3

THE GARRISON BAND.

A CHANGE IMMINENT.

Tho inauguration of a new system of defenco has involved somo changes in the character and constitution of tho military band attached to the North Canterbury Battalion. It seems' that'tho organisation known as tho Garrison Band will shortly go out of existence, and bo replaced by a Kβgimuntal Band, s 'drawn from tho ranks of tho Territorials. In conversation with a member of pur staff. Colonel G. J. Smith, who is in command of the lleginiont, stated that tho members of tho Regimental Band would have to bo within tho I training a(. r <\s, which yvero from 18 to 25 years. The regulations gavo permission for a few exceptions, but those exceptions were only* allowed uniform and accoutrement, and rations while in camp. Ho did not think that there would be any 'difficulty in forming a Regimental Baud, as there- wero quite a number of Territorials who wero musically, inclined, and would prefer to put in their training in tho Band. While in camp tho bandsmen would bo trained as stretcher-bearers, and in giving first-aid to the wounded. They had only to put in half tho number of drills of the ordinary Territorials, but they were required to put iii given days for annual training. The personnel of tho Regimental Band, Col. Smith added, would bo almost entirely different from that of the Garrison Band. He hoped to see somo of the old Garrison < men staying on, but the majority intended to retire. Some months ago tho bandmaster, Lieut. Merton, had informed him that he did not intend to remain in charge. Tho instruments, which wero vested in trustees, would be handed in, and reissued to the new Regimental Band. He was endeavouring to arrange with Mr W. S. King to take the position of bandmaster.