The Hawera Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1924. BANDS AND BANDSMEN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 August 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1924. BANDS AND BANDSMEN.

Delivered every evening toy 6 o'clock in Hawera, Menai*. N^rmenby. Okaiawa, Eltham, Pate*, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangar, Meremero, Fraser Road, and Otakeho Manutahi, Alton, Burleyville, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake,

Of all musical societies, ive suppose that there is none more popular than a brass band, and in almost every town in New Zealand there is such an organisation, while in the cities bands and bandsmen vie with each other for pride of place in the popular estimation. When there was a different public attitude towards military matters tlie brass band was regarded as an essential, almost an integral part of the military body, and bandsmen were very proud of their membership. They spent much time in practising at home and in the band room; their instruments were kept beautifully bright and their uniforms were taken great care of, so that .when a band appeared in public it attracted immediate attention, and at the competitions in which many bands took part the ■scenes were most interesting. But in recent times bands have suffered considerably through the disturbing effects of the economic depression. Many of the best players in bands are men who follow a trade and, through the changes which trades have undergone, they have had to go from place to place to find employment, and the bands have consequently suffered. The Hawera Citizens’ Band suffered severely in this way, and for some time past it has not been active. A few years ago it was a very popular body and gave good service to the town, and people willingly supported it, helping to send it on one occasion to compete in competitions. Last week a new effort was made ' to resuscitate it, and in order to encourage the movement the Borough Council has set aside £2OO towards the upkeep of the band. The meeting decided to form a Hawera Municipal Band, but the opinion of the speakers seemed to be that it will be difficult to secure sufficient members. We do not know how many players of band instruments there are in and around Hawera, but if twenty-five or thirty responded to the appeal it should be possible to train the band for acceptable public performance. On behalf of those who are trying to resuscitate the hand we earnestly appeal to people who play band instruments to come forward and join. Perhaps those who do not feel inclined to become permanent members will offer their assistance for, say, twelve months, by which time new players may come to live in the district. We have no doubt members will find the practices interesting, and they will feel they are helping to bring brightness to the community. There is also a brotherhood among bandsmen which is of value, and we sincerely hope that players will join up and give the people once more the pleasure of band music. If the required number of members can be secured we can see no reason why a very good band cannot be trained; it depends mainly upon the keenness of the players, and each should become a missionary endeavouring to secure the services of other instrumentalists. There are many people in Hawera who want to see the band revived and who will appreciate hearing its music again.