GIFTS OF BAND INSTRUMENTS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23361, 21 June 1941, Page 3

GIFTS OF BAND INSTRUMENTS

NATIONAL RESERVE BENEFITS

PUBLIC APPEAL NOW NOT NECESSARY

Generous gifts of band instruments from Akaroa and Little River have now made it unnecessary to conduct a major public appeal to provide for the establishment of a 3rd Battalion National Military Reserve Band, and it is expected that the band will be in operation shortly. The gifts, for the duration of the war and six months after, were an-, nounced yesterday by Colonel J. Murphy, as chairman and spokesman for the band committee recently set up in Christchurch. The committee comprises representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, Commercial Travellers’ Association, Returned Soldiers’ Association, Band Association, 3ZB, and Canterbury Territorial Association.

After approving of a scheme to collect about £IOOO for the purchase of instruments and other equipment, said Colonel Murphy, members of the committee were advised of an offer by the Mayor and councillors of Akaroa, and a selection of four instruments was later made by Mr R. J. Estall, of the Woolston Band, who accompanied committee members on their .visit. Subsequently, the Little River Band trusees (Messrs E. Patten and H. D. Chapman) offered their full set of band instruments also (about 28 pieces). The two gifts, he said, made it unnecessary to proceed with the major appeal, as only a small percentage of the original sum aimed at would now be required to put the band on a working basis. An appeal to members ’of the National Reserve Battalion had resulted in considerably more than £ 100 being raised in two days, and this would go towards initial expenses. The committee, he said, deeply appreciated the ■ generosity of those who had made the instruments available. Colonel H. C. Hurst, officer commanding the 3rd Battalion of the Reserve, proposed to hold band parades for both Akaroa and Little River people as soon as possible.