CLOUD OVER BAND

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 128, 24 February 1938, Page 15

CLOUD OVER BAND

Bandsmen’s Bereavement

Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, February 23. A cloud Hung over the New Zealand brass band contest at Palmerston North to-night, as three members of the Wanganui Garrison Band, a father and his two sons, received news a few minutes before taking the platform of a family bereavement in the death at Wanganui of Mrs. W. Francis. Her husband plays the E-flat cornet, one son, Mr. Reaney Francis, is the conductor, and another son, Mr. Roy Francis, is cornetist. Rather than let the baud down, however, they took the platform in accordance with Mrs. Francis’s last wishes, and secured second place. At the conclusion of the test Mr. E. Palliser, president of the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association, announced that since the contest opened bandsmen had suffered three breaevements. Shortly after arriving at Palmerston Nortli news was received of the death of Mr. T. Lindsay Buick, C.M.G., a vice-presi-dent, and the Timaru Municipal Band was affected by the death of the mayor of Timaru, Mr. P. C. Vinnell, father of Bandsman W. Vinnell. To-night word had been received of the death of Mrs) Francis.

The mayor, Mr. A. E. Mansford, extended the sympathy of Palmerston North citizens, and as a mark of respect the audience of more than a thousand stood in silence.