NEW ACOUSTIC PAVILION

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21971, 21 December 1936, Page 5

NEW ACOUSTIC PAVILION

OPENING CEREMONY AT TIMARU ENTERPRISE OF CAROLINE • BAY ASSOCIATION The opinion that the new sound shell, or acoustic pavilion, at Caroline Bay would revolutionise conditions for the band and other performers using it was expressed by the conductor of the Timaru Municipal Band (Lieutenant W. H. Osborne) on Saturday evening, when the structure was officially handed over by the Caroline Bay Association to the Mayor (Mr P. C. Vin-. Nell) for the citizens of Timaru. The ceremony was held in mild weather, and. there was a large attendance. Conditions were ideal for testing the acoustics of the shell. Not only was it possible to hear the band from Stafford street with ease, but songs, violin solos and speeches could

be heard further back and to greater advantage than was possible from the old band rotunda, which has now been removed. In handing over the sound shell to the Mayor, Mr A. S. Aitken, president of the Caroline Bay Association, thanked the architect (Mr V. W. Panton) and the builder (Mr W. Hayes) for the valuable work they had done towards making the building a success, and also Mr C. G. Baker, secretary of the Timaru Municipal Band, for his assistance. Mr John Hole, patron of the band and one. of its foundation members, said that the old rotunda had become out-of-date, and so had to give way to the modern sound shell, which was a credit to Timaru. Mr Hole praised the efforts of the band) which, be said, would now be able to play in greater comfort than previously, and said he was certain that others who used the building would appreciate it Expressing the thanks of the Timaru Borough Council and of the citizens for the gift of the sound shelL The Mayor said that the structure represented only part of the work of the Caroline Bay Association, whose efforts were voluntary. He declared the shell open. Lieutenant Osborne said that it should be possible to hear the softest passages of the band at the top of the piazza, which the sound shell faced, and when more seating accommodation was provided in the piazza the band would be able to play in any sort of weather. Later a concert was given by the band, assisting artists being Mrs J. M. Jenkins and Mr G. H. Andrews (vocalists) and Miss Leila Greig (violinist).