VICTORIOUS ST. KILDA

Evening Star, Issue 20117, 6 March 1929, Page 3

VICTORIOUS ST. KILDA

CHAMPION BAND ACCLAIMED DUNEDIN'S WARM WELCOME HOME KAIKCRAI JOINS IN CONGRATULATIONS Proud carriers of five shields (indisputable evidence of championship), many medals, and a cheque lor £215, the St. Kilda Band, champion in the 1929 dominion contest, returned to Dunedin yesterday afternoon. Baud music is the people|s music, and the people showed their appreciation of St. Kilda’s feat in winnine; the test selections and the quickstep competition by giving the band a royal welcome home. Defeated, but not disgraced, the KaiIcorai Band, returned by the same train, and this combination, too, was given a welcome,_ which was a tribute to its popularity. After the bands had forced their way through the big crowd at the railway station, the Albany Street School Band, followed by the Tramways and Artillery Bands, played the bandsmen into the city with marches symbolical of victors returning. Kaikorai showed excellent spirit by preceding the St. Kilda Baud and playing a lively and jubilant march. Kaikorai’s action was expressive of the feeling that the band’s victorious contest was not a win for St. Kilda alone, but for Dunedin and its bands. Before tho Town Hall steps, the bands were lined up in the Octagon while a big crowd joined in the civic welcome extended to the St. Kilda

Band. A MAGNIFICENT RECORD. Tho Al.ayor and the Deputy-Mayor, said Cr J. J. Clark, sincerely regretted their inability to join in welcoming back tho St. Kilda Band from its triumphs. Although the baud carried the name of an adjoining borough, the city rejoiced with the people of St. Kilda, because tho band was looked upon as a city band (“Hear, hear.”). The band’s magnificent record at the contest had brought added laurels to the city and Otago, and there were none but whole-heartedly congratulated the band on its wonderful performances It was to be hoped that the citizens of Dunedin and district would make it possible for the band to cross the Tasman to gain further successes for Dunedin and the dominion. The people knew how arduously the band had worked and the enthusiasm shown, and it had well merited the honours earned. Lie was also pleased to welcome back the Kaikorai Band, which, although not so successful as on previous occasions, had not disgraced the citv. A splendid sportsmanlike spirit had been shown by Kaikorai iu playing the champion baud from the railway station. (Applause.) That was the spirit that made anything worth while, a large number of fellow-bandsmen were also present to greet St. Kilda. Cr Clark called for three cheers for the St. Kilda Baud and Conductor Dixon. “Let her go, hoys,” called a voice from the back, and the crowd answered with sincere cheers. Three cheers, none the less hearty and spontaneous, were given for Kaikorai. WIDESPREAD APPRECIATION. Three telegrams received by him during the day were read by Mr 11. V - Hall (Mayor of St. Kilda). “Heartiest congratulations on the success of the St. Kilda Band in the A fTcide quickstep/ 5 wired the Hon. W.°B. Taverner (Mayor of Dunedin). “ Their performance was most meritorious, and reflects much credit on those concerned.” “ Dunedin people resident in Wanganui, extend congratulations on the band’s success,” telegraphed Air R. CL Talboys. “Never was a win more deserved or popular. Dixon drew every note of music out of the_ band. The performances were magnificent. liner still, the band’s bearing and sportsmanship were traditional of the Dunedin people.” Tbo Hon. T. K. Sicley’s message read: “I have been delighted to observe the St. Kilda, Band’s success. It has been a matter of special pleasure because the baud is identified with a district which for so many years I represented in Parliament. Please accept for yourself and conductor of the band my sincere and heartiest congratulations.” The greatest applause was given when Mr Hall read the following message from Oamaru, sent by Conductor T. J. Kirk-Buruuand, of tho Kaikorai Band: —“The Kaikorai Baud has arranged with the St. Kilda Band to play them into the city.” SERVICE TO THE CITY. With Cr Clark, said Air Hall, ho felt that the city had every _ reason to be proud of the baud and its success for Dunedin and Otago. On many occasions civic receptions had been accorded to representatives of various sports, and this time tho city and suburbs were able to join iu congratulating a winning band. The willingness to join in the welcome was intensified when they realised the wonderful service the bands gave to tho city. Whenever called upon for their services the bands responded whole-heartedly. AVhon St. Kilda and Kaikorai left for Wanganui the city wished them well, and while one band had been more, successful than the other the citizens were pleased to find that tho bands had set traditions of the very highest standard. Each had done its best to maintain the honour and good name of Dunedin. St. Kilda and the city joined hands in welcoming back the St. Kilda Band, hut the same cooperation would also have been shown iu the welcome back to the Kaikorai Band if it bad been as successful. Kaikorai had done its best, and be hoped the time would come when it would again win the contest. Tho whole of the dominion congratulated St. Kilda on its winning of the two test pieces and tho quickstep, together with trios, quartets, and solos. It was a remarkable performance, and one of which all were proud. In the future he hoped they would not forget the services of the band, and that they would not be adverse to giving assistance to help it on its way. In extending the heartiest congratulations of the city and St. Kilda to the band, Mr Hall expressed tho hope that the band

would conquer 'in contests lurther afield. SUCCESS DUE TO HARD WORK. “As president of tho band, I have to express our thanks for the great public welcom extended,” said Mr E. H. Lough. “The band, as you know, is proud of the success it has won. 1 don’t want you to think that that success is due to good fortune, chance, or circumstance. That success was due to tho hard work put in by every single member of the band in rehearsals and practice before they went away. (Applause.) One thing the band should be proud of is that it is a purely amateur band. Not one is a professional, and none received a single penny in payment for services given in Wanganui.” Mr Lough thanked the other bands in Dunedin for the messages of congratulation sent to the band through him. He knew' their congratulations were hearty and sincere, and it all emphasised tho good spirit which existed and should exist. Tho band expressed its great admiration, regard, and affection for Conductor Dixon. If to any one man was due tho success in Wanganui, it was to Mr Dixon, who not only led them correctly, but drew out the very best possible, and interpreted the music in a way that pleased the judge. That was a great compliment. Another compliment had been paid by the Mayor of Wanganui when he said the St. Kilda Band had marched through the contest like an avalanche. The band also expressed its deep thanks to Drum-major Donaldson for his leading in the quickstep. Tho winning of tho quickstep was due to the drum-major. They were all sorry to read the results of the contests to find that the Kaikorai Band was not lighting out for top place as usual. A Voice: Kaikorai will win at Ballarat. Probably, said Air Lough, the irreparable loss in its ranks had disorganised Kaikorai to some extent. Ho hoped Kaikorai would fight out the finish with St. Kilda in the contest at Dunedin next year. St. Kilda, ho concluded, was only too willing to help any band at any time.

KAIKORAI’S STERLING PERFORMANCES, Conductor Dixon was given a warm reception when he stepped before the microphone. “ You can imagine that wo arc overwhelmed with this wonderful reception," ho said. 11 Naturally, ] am very proud of the position; I am proud of the men who put me there, and 1 am also proud to uphold the name of Dunedin. Wanganui gave us a wonderful reception from the start to the finish, and the bands in general were exceptionally sportsmanlike. We appreciated that very much indeed. The feeling was worth more than the big cheque we received. I must thank our fellow-bandsmen, Kaikorai, for leading the procession to-day. The Kaikorai Band's performances were no mean ones. They were very lino indeed, and I am surprised that the band was not near the top. Their performances were a credit to any band, and 1 can tell you that when I heard them playing, I said to my chaps; ‘They -will be hard nuts to crack.’ ’’ He also thanked the Albany Street School Band. The boys were bandsmen in the making, and it would be only a few years before they would take the place of “ some of us old bulfers.” The band appreciated the congratulatory telegrams received from Dunedin. Without a doubt, Drummajor Donaldson was the finest drummajor in New Zealand, and the success in tho quickstep was entirely duo to his efforts. “ I don’t mind being in front of a band in the quickstep, but 1 don't like this at all,” said 31 r Donaldson, who was loudly cheered. The hand had had a really good time in Wanganui. Tho people treated them like sports, and lie hoped that Dunedin would give its band visitors an equally good time next year. He warned lady admirers of the band that tho members had been disfigured by the Wanganui haircut or shr Ic, for which he took full liability. (Laughter.) Conductor Dixon announced that the band would play the ‘ Conqueror March ’ from the Octagon to the Triangle. " The St. Kilda Band is going to show us how to play,” said Mr Clark, “ but we will first show them how to sing.” " Cor they are jolly good follows ” was sung lustily, and cheers were given the baud, whose playing in Brmccs street again drew attention to its performances.