WELCOME TO BAND

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22340, 2 March 1938, Page 6

WELCOME TO BAND

CIVIC RECEPTION AT ASHBURTON

CONGRATULATIONS ON WIN IN

B GRADE SHIELD

Many local residents and supporters of the Ashburton Silver Band whe met the band on its return from the Dominion contest at Palmerston North, yesterday, were enthusiastic in theii congratulations to the conductor (Lieutenant W. H. Osborne), Drum-Majoi j, R. Wilkie, and members, on winning the B grade championship. A civic welcome was extended tc the band at the railway station by the Deputy-May or (Mr E. H. Orr), whe said every one w'as confident that the bat’d would do well at the contest anc would maintain its high reputation He added that Ashburton was proud ol hi band. They were sorry it was not sue cessful in the quickstep contest, bu it had to learn to take defeats Will victories. The band must have workee well to reach the high standard it hac attained—-it had the right leader u Lieutenant Osborne, stated Mr Orr who congratulated the band on its wh on behalf of the residents of the town “I am a very proud man —I had £ presentment that we would win the shield.” said Mr G. D. H. Hefford. pre sident of the Citizens’ Committee Of the band, as ho held up the trophy for inspection. He thanked all those win had supported the band in the last T. months, saying that the band had re sponded with an earnest endeavour anc had shown that the support had no been in vain. Mr Hefford said it wa: hoped that the band would soon read A grade standard. It had done so undet Lieutenant Osborne before, and i would do so again. Lieutenant Osborne said the suppor given to the band by residents and the Citizens’ Committee had enabled it u return as the B grade champion of thf Dominion. He thanked the members oj the band, Mrs H. J. Chapman (accompanist), and Drum-Major Wilkie fox their loyal support, stating that the band was glad to have the support ol Messrs Hefford and A, C, Wilson (secretary) at the contest. Lieutenant Osborne said he had been assured that the drill in the quickstep had reached the highest standard oi any previous contest. "There is a. tremendous gulf between A and B grade., but with your support I think the band will develop into a fine combination and that it should be well worth listening to. You are proud of us now, but I think that later on you will have added cause to be so.” he stated. Cheers were given for the band, the Citizens’ Committee, and Drum-Major Wilkie. The band marched along East street through the business Centre c! the town playing the March “Knight [ of the Road.”