SKIPPER’S BAND

Grey River Argus, 7 June 1943, Page 4

SKIPPER’S BAND

A Great Success

PERFORMANCES AT GREYMOUTH.

Judging by the reception Avhich the Greymouth public gave to Skipper’s Harmonica Band, which paid its first visit to the West Coast at the week end, a return visit would be enthusiastically Avelcomed, and credit is due to the Miss Britannia Committee which arranged this first series of performances. The Bag/!, with its unusual combination of 22 harmonicas and three piano accordions ably conducted by Mr. H. L Oakes, gave a polished rendering of a generous selection of items; and the supporting artists proved,to be of a singularly high standard. Several items were given at the patriotic dance at Schaef’s on Saturday night, the members of the band having arrived by Saturday’s express, Yesterday morning the Grey River Hospital was visited and performances given outside each ward, a<- the Nurses’ Home, and at the OldPeoples’ Home. The visit to the hospital was very much appreciated. Yesterday afternoon and last evening concerts ’ were given in the Regent Theatre to. packed houses. Mr. C. C. Crocker, Secretary to the Band, Ayas Master of Ceremonies and Mr. Oakes was conductor. . . Supporting artists moulded Miss Joan Peters and Miss Lois Burgoyne in small tap duos. Miss Joan McDonald in. sailor’s hornpipe and skipping rope dances, Miss Iris Gaifeney, tap dances, Miss Alice Adcock m acrobatic dances, Mrs. Amta Ledshaw, a rich contralto, Mr. Allan Bradley with his musical saw Mr. Doug Gribben, the Christchurch George Formby, and Mr. Leo Hi. gins, a lyric Irish tenor. Mr, Higgins’s numbers Avere specially popular including “Shilelagh Under My Arm ” “The Maori Farewell, (in Maori and English), “Rose o Day and (with Mrs. Ledsham), Danny Boy,” and “I Love You Truly. At last evenings concert Mss Britannia (Miss Joan Pearson) and her Princesses (Miss McDonald and Miss Webster) were presented by Mr. Jl From the stage, and later in conversation with a reporter, Crocker, on behalf of the Band, expressed special thanks to / a °^ e , A ° had billeted the boys. All had had a wonderful time and, looked forward to another visit to Greymouth m the near future. , Members of the Band will return to Christchurch by to-days express.