DRUMS AND PIPES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1704, 22 March 1913, Page 6

DRUMS AND PIPES.

.. PONSONBY BOYS'BAND HERE. Tho Ponsonby (Auckland) Drum and Fife Band arrived in town by tho Main Trunk express train yesterday afternoon, and were met at the station by the Mayor ? lr - A - Troup (of the Wellington Boys' Institute); and the Wellington Boys' Mission Band. Tho, Ponsonby Boys' Baudj under Bandmaster Marks, and Mr. D. Cullinan (manager), has come nil tho way from tho northern city to see tho carnival, and play at Newtown Park for the edification of tho. public. The band is strong numerically, but surprisingly small physically. Tho "Big Drum" and the drum-major are the only big boys. Tho remainder aro little fellows. Tho visitors, who looked somewhat tired after their long,journey, were inarched to tho Town Hall,'preceded by the Boys' Mission. Band, where' a civic recaption was accorded them in tho Concert Chamber by the Mayor and members of the Carnival Committee. Some people were heard to remark, at Thorndon station, that the Ponsonby lilliputians would have appreciated more highly and moro gratefully a rido in the cars instead of : a tramp through tho streots, but the occasion apparently demanded tho fnevitablo; procession that heralds the "show," and, so tho little boys manfully trudged along,' their luggage preceding them by special car.

The speeches at the Town Hall were brief mil felicitous. The Mayor (Mr. MXaren)'extended a cordial welcome to the ■_ visitors, and dwelt upon the good feeling whioh such visits would engender between, the two cities. Mr. Troup added a welcome on behalf of the Boys' Institute, and of the boys of Wellington generally. Responding, Mr. Oullinan, manager of tho tour,' thanked the Mayor and Mr. Troup for their greetings, and hoped that their visit- would be an incentive to tho Wellington boys to organise similar binds. ■ . He hoped to see a Wellington boys' band in Auckland some day. (Hear, hear.) Bandmaster Marks also spoke, and Ills band afterwards treated tlio gathering to selections from their repertoire. During their stay the Auckland boys will bo billeted by residents who have hospitably undertaken to look after them. The Ponsonby. boys will take part in the'boys' service at tho Institute on Sunday evening,, when visiting University students will bo present to address tho boys. . : rv . .