HIGHLANDERS RETURNING

Evening Star, Issue 19275, 14 June 1926, Page 8

HIGHLANDERS RETURNING

SIX TO JOIN ST. HILDA WELLINGTON REPORT INCOMPREHENSIBLE “I cannot fathom that at all,” commented Air W. W. Pennycuick, secretary to tho St. Kilda Band, when the report that a Wellington band had engaged Bandsmen E. Edwards and J. A. Morrell, of the Argyll and .Sutherland Band, was referred til him. Before leaving Dunedin on the tour of New Zealand and Canada, several members of the band were approached by the St. Kilda Band, and they signed papers promising to join the band on then return from the Old Country. At (east twenty of the bandsmen had decided that they would return to Dunedin, and many had made arrangements with friends for their return, and had also engaged employment. Six of these signed up with St. Kilda. They were: J. If. Morrell (euphonium player). E. Edwards (drums). E. Wilton (cornet). F. Crawford (solo trombone). V. Wilson (French horn). A. Parkins (solo bass).

The Wellington report appeared shortly after the band’s departure. This has mystified Mr Pennycuick, for lie received a letter from Bandsman Morrell, written in Wellington on May 16, in which tho Highlander stated: “ I have had one or two offers since I left dear old Dunedin, but 1 am for no else.”

Mr Pennycuick said ho could not understand the Wellington statement that Bandsmen Morrell and Edwards had been engaged. The letter, written just before the band sailed for England, urged that tho St. Kilda members should push through the nomination papers, as the hoys wanted to return to New Zealand, and Dunedin in particular, as soon as possible. Morrell intimated that be would ho leaving tho Army early in July, and he intended to return by" a liner leaving England in August. " Speaking for tho others, ho said' they wanted the papers hustled through. Under Army regulations, soldiers can leave if three months’ notice is given and they buy themselves out. The buying costs £35, and it was known that many of the boys who had not completed their service intended to save the money and purchase their discharge. The St. Kilda Band is paying tho cost of tho return passages for (ho men who have signed on. All tho papers are ready, and Mr Pennycuiek stated that he was cabling the Fare money for the six boys next week, lie was expecting tbcm back in Dunedin about September. Asked if employment bad been found for Hie boys nominated as immigrants by the hand, Mr Pennycuick replied that work had boon promised for five of the bandsmen. The other had intimated that he would prefer to have a short holiday on his return, but would commence playing for the Si. Kilda Band immediately. Ho would look for work himself. Tho six men engaged by St. Kilda are versatile musicians, and can play practically any instrument. Bandsman Morrell was considered the finest instrumentalist by bis mates, who stated that he could play solo with any instrument. Air Pennycuick said that, with the addition of tho Sntberlandors, St. Kilda would he so strong that nothing appeared to bo in the way of its winning the Now Zealand brass band championship next year. __ Before Hie band felt New Zealand it was expected that Piper Alex. Stevens would bo the first man to return to Dunedin.