BANDSMEN’S VISIT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22593, 23 March 1948, Page 6

BANDSMEN’S VISIT

GOOD IMPRESSION SERIES OF FIXTURES CONCERT WELL SUPPORTED The visit of the Wairoa Band to Gisborne over the week-end clashed with a number of other fixtures of some importance, but the section of the public which followed the activities of the visitors keenly enjoyed the series of appearances, and gave credit to the band for outstanding performances. It was felt by many that an excellent opportunity was lost because of the inability of Lady Baden-Powell, World Chief Guide, to witness the display of the marching teams, athletes and bandsmen at the Childers Road Reserve on Saturday afternoon, the spectacular effects achieved there being out of the ordinary.

The careful training of the Wairoa bandsmen by their conductor, Mr. R. Moore, and the personality of Mr. J. Phear, their one-armed drum-major, created great interest among the spectators at the afternoon fixture on Saturday and throughout the .remaining portions of the band’s programme in Gisborne.' Mr. Phear’s- manipulation of the drum-major's mace has probably not been excelled by any band leader previously seen in Gisborne, despite his marked handicap. Street Parade Attracts Attention

The street parade which preceded the display at the Childers Road Reserve on Saturday attracted much attention from the Gisborne public, who lined the streets to witness the marchpast of bandsmen and the girls' marching teams, in which the Gisborne Home Guard Band and the P.B. Highland Pipe Band gave additional colour to the display.

In the evening the Wairoa and Gisborne Home Guard bandsmen led a procession from the town clock to the Army Hall, where a successful dance in honour of the visitors was held, and in the course of which Mr. C. A. Smith, president of the host band, presented the prizes won by marching teams in the afternoon’s competitions. On Sunday morning the bands took part in a church parade to St. Andrew’s Church, and in the afternoon the visitors were entertained at a picnic at the Waihirere Domain, the beauty and general equipment of which made a strong impression under the prevailing delightful weather conditions.

The audience for Monday night’s sacred concert at the Opera House showed a gratifying interest in the work of the bandsmen, the Wairoa Band taking the first half of the programme and the Gisborne Home Guard Band the second, whole a number of guest artists also contributed. These were Miss Jean Calder. Messrs. B. Patterson, T. Bonita, and O. M. Pritchard, and Pam and Warren Bragg, Mrs. A. L. Elliott providing the accompaniments. After the concert the visiting bandsmen were entertained at supper at the host band’s rooms, and later left on their return to Wairoa.