Victory Cavalcade

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 50, 22 November 1941, Page 11

Victory Cavalcade

Sir, —Might I make a complete statement of the true facts concerning the forthcoming Victory Cavalcade to be held on tbe Basin Reserve on Sunday, December 7? With all due respect to the Methodist and Presbyterian Synods, the fact that they allow to be printed in their name a gross misrepresentation of the whole thing will not in future encourage respect „of their opinions. It was with amazement I read of the description of the display, or rather as it was called, a “glorified sports gathering.” To my mind a sports gathering is a vastly different thing from a dignified display by massed bands and marching girls in which hours of thought have been spent trying to conceive something which will in no way offend any section of the community. I have yet to see the sports gathering where massed bands will play the Hallelujah Chorus ami other appropriate music as is intended on this occasion. I should like to correct the three main incorrect statements concerning the show’. First, it was stated that Saturday had been applied for but the City Council had suggested that we have Sunday, 7, so as not to interfere with cricket. In all fairness to the council I should like to deny this, as Saturday was granted for the display without any suggestion of another day being made. At an executive band meeting a few days later it was found that at the present time Saturday was a bad day to put on a show which depended so much upon the attendance of a great many bandsmen- Application was then made to the C0 ? nC11 f ° Sunday and on request a detailed programme was forwarded. Sec °“J ly ’/ Victorv Cavalcade was referred to as incorrect It is a massed marching Kw by bands .nd . W—of smartly uniformed girlstion does not enter in any way i nto display. Thirdly, the proceeds are not, as stated, for patriotic funds. The Wellington Brass and Pipe Band Association will benefit Wellington bands have played a large part in tne Sng of money for patriotic funds flnrins the war, and now themselves are badlv in need of funds to enable them to carry on their very necessary but also voluntary good work for the duration of the war. _ The following description of the Finale entitled “In Memoriae, will in itself answer to the statement a ou the morale of the people. A bi.Je note will announce a Two Minutes Science “last tost’’ by massed trumpeters across tbe area will come a recital)ot -po r the e Fallen.” S Mr" Vai- Jones, the well-known Wellington ivl then sing the hymn O Valiant Hearts” with band accompaniment, after which the audiencei will vited to join in the singing of - With Me.” “Reveille” will then be sounded by massed trumpetersG £ massed pipe bands will play God De fond New Zealand ; and the p gramme will terminate with the tional Anthem. Nothing ™> re a “glorified sports meeting could imagined.-! am, etc.. (W J- ' v n INN'IS, Hon. Organizer fot Mellingto Brass ami Pipe Band Association. November 20.