PRESENTATION TO BANDMASTER SMITH.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXII, Issue 5726, 29 January 1876, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO BANDMASTER SMITH.

Ok Thursday night last a supper and ball were given in the Excelsior Hall, Newton, in honour of Mr. John Smith, the instructor of the Auckland Temperance Drum and Fife Band. About forty couples were present. After tripping the "light fa'ntastic " for some time, supper was served in a room adjoining the hall, Mr. June occupying the chair. During the evening, the chairman presented to Mr. Smith a beautiful silver-mounted baton, the gift of the members of the band. It was manufactured by Mr. I. Alexander, jeweller, Queen street. It was tipped with a piece of rery rich gold-bearing quartz from the Thames, and the other end had inserted in the silver mounting a. very beautiful piece of polished greenstone. In presenting the baton, Mr. June made a few complimentary remarks respecting the valuable services which Mr. Smith had rendered to the band for over five years, without any charge whatever ; and the present gift was merely a small acknowledgement of the gratitude of the members of the band for Mr. Smith's untiring exertions on their behalf. Mr. Smith suitably replied. The baton bore the following inscription :— " Presented to Mr. John Smith by the members of the A. T. Band, as a slight token of their esteem." After ■upper, dancing was resumed, which was kept up to an early hour this morning.

Church Preservation : Mr. Gladstone — "Please'm, ia the Church of England worth preserving?" Britannia — " Worth preserving ? Dear me, William, don't you know it's been in a pickle this ever so long ?"