CAPTAIN T. HERD

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 49, 27 August 1934, Page 13

CAPTAIN T. HERD

HANDING OVER BATON

AFTER. FORTY-FOUR YEARS

Wellington bandsmen aue officers of the artillery and coast defence forces mot on Saturday night to pay their compliments to Captain T.. Herd/V.D., upon his retirement.from the Wellington Artillery Band after forty-four years of continuous service as band conductor.

In proposing the toast of tho guest, Lieutenant-Colonel G. M. Lyon, M.C., president of tho Artillery Band, said that it was difficult .to do justice to the wonderful record of Captain Herd, a man whoso name came to mind whon tho very subject of bands or band music was spoken of. It was over 49 years since he . first becamo connected with1 took over the conductorihip of the Timaru .Garrison Band. In 1890 ho took, over tho conductorship of tho Wellington Garrison Band and worked it up from a rather weak position to a band which won no less than twelvo firsts, three seconds, anil a fourth place in selection contests. For eight years tho Wellington Garrison Baud, under Captain Herd, had won every selection contest in which it took part, and five firsts in marching and military drill, besides the Boosey Cup, the Bessou Shield, and many other trophies. Captain Herd's success lay in tho fact that he possessed to a very high degree tlie capacity to impart hisknowledgp, technique,, and enthusiasm to the band under his control.

He was selected to lake charge of the New Zealand band (the Hinemoa Band) which Visited England in 190.1, and playod before the present King and Queen. Captain Herd had also conducted orchostras and had adjudicated at over thirty contests, including the Ba'llariit contest in 1901.

In 1915 ho was appointed to the New Zealand Natives' Association Band, and so remained until 1921, when he . was commissioned to form the Wellington Artillery Band, attached to tho 2nd Field Artillery Brigade. Though this was practically a new band it carried off the A. D. Cartwright competition honours in 1927, the championship shield at Masterton in 1932, and tho B Grade championship this year. Colonel Lyon spoke also of the interest and kindly attitude of Mrs. Herd. On behalf of the bandsmen he presented Captain Herd with' a chiming' clock carrying an inscribed plate. The toast was honoured most thusiastically.. , Captain Herd warmly thanked the gathering for their kind wishes . for himself and Mrs. Hord, and said that although he was handing over the baton, that did not mean that his interest had ended—he would be pleased indeod to help his old band, and any band. ' ~rm. Other toasts honoured were "The OC. and Artillery Officers," "Kindred Bands," "Old .Members," and. "The Ladies." Musical find other items were given by Major K. Sinnell, Sergeant; and Bandsman J. Bowman, and Messrs. W. Smith, D. Hogg, and F. Cunliffe.., .