SALVATION ARMY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 105, 15 April 1933, Page 8

SALVATION ARMY

BANDS VISITING HAWKE'S BAY ASHBURTON AND CHRISTCHURCH BNTHUSIASTIO DECEPTION With perfect weather such as Hawke's bay cau g've, the Asiiburtuu balvatiou Army Bauu arrived m Hastings by the ex pre s on Ihursuuy and nas greeted by a large and enthusiastic crowd. After the depr.uuie ui Hie .os, His Worship the Mayor, Mr G. I>. Roach, extended on Oeuail oi the citizens oi Hastings a Very hearty .elcome. He stated tnat tue eutn i.j tom shown, along with the large representation oi citizens, was equai if not than the reception given to General Higgins a year ago. Ho expressed a wish that the weather would uo such as Hawses Bay can give during the stay oi uj band an I hoped that they would nave a very ehjoyable and profitable ii:i>e la Hastings. He hopet the ciuze.is :l Hastings wuulu demonstrate aieii pinetical support to the project and rally to the help of the Army in Hastings, which corps was doing a spleuuid work in tho town. In reply Captain Thompson thanked His Worship for the very hearty v elcome, which had. he said, been beyond ad their expectations. Bandmaster Argyle also thanked the citizens for the welcome extended and paid a high tribute to the standard of musical excellence and discipline of the Citizens’ Band, who are under the capable leadership of Mr C. Bryant. The local Salvation Army Band supplied the musical noon us and n arrbed the visitors to the Assembly Hall, wheie a sumptuous repast was supplied for the visitors and local bandsmen. This was presided over by His Worship and the Mayoress, supported by Adjutant Hildreth. Captain Thompson, Bandmasters Argyle, Lindsay and C. Bryant, and two representatives of the Citizens’ Band The Rev. R. B. Gosnell, representing the Ministers’ AsMH'iation, also was present friendly after tea speeches were given relative to the welcome and a hearty vote of thanks was extended to Airs E. Sawyer and ladies (or the splendid tea arrangements. The Initial Concert. Later in the evening the visitors presented their initial programme to a large audience both inside aud out (on the pavements) and the applause alter each number gave evidence of pleasure at the items submitted by {he band. Vocal, instrumental and band numbers were excellently given and showed evidence of careful training in detail. The Mayor opened the function by giving the band a welcome to Hastings. The proceedings were presided over by Adjutant Hildreth. The programme submitted during the evening was as follows;—March, “Ashburton” (Scotney); vocal solo, “There is a Green Hill” (Gounod); instrumental quartette, “Beautiful Jesus” ((Scotney), selection, “Rejoice” (Marshall); male voice quartette, “Wondrous Cross” (Towner); cornet solo, “I Have Heard of a Saviour’ (Coles), by Deputy Bandmaster Reg. Frew; sacred song. “Ivory Palaces” (Barraclougb); instrumental quartette, “Remember Me” (arr. Coles/; selection, “Atonement” (Coles) by the Has. tings Salvation Army Band; cornet quintette, “Peaceful Night” (Scotney); vocal duet “’Tis Jesus” (Harkness), by Sisters Hopwood and Frew; meditation, “Go, Bury Thy Sorrow” (Btoughton); male quartette, “Jesus, the Very Thought” (Towner); air vane, “Above the Best” (Smith); trombone solo, “Legend” (Jenkins) by Bandsman Alt, rod Beach; march, “Gospel Feast’’ (Ball). OFFICIAL CIVIC WELCOME. ROUSING RECEPTION TO VISITORS. An official civic welromc to the Ashburton Band was extended by His Worship the Mayor (Mr. G. F. Roach) at tho Council Chambers this morning, when there was a good attendance of citizens and representatives of various local bodies and organisations. The Mayor said that already he had ■welcomed the visitors upon their arrival, but on this occasion he wished to do so on behalf of tho citizens of Hastings and also afford represents fives of the various organisations the opportunity of doing likewise. The pioneering work of the Salvation Army had been a noble one throughout the world, he said, and had set a wonder ful example and inspiration to all. There was no doubt that the people fully appreciated that work, and so far as Hastings was concerned he assured the visitors that the work of the Salvation Army in this district was recognised and appreciated. He mentioned that tho Hastings corps was established in 1855 and it had progressed in the same way as had the borough. The interchange of bands was one that interested the people of Hastings a great deal, and he felt sure that in the near future the Hastings band would repay the visit, which was looked upon as one of importance. Mr. Roaeh paid a tribute to the remarkably fine work that the Salvation Army, and the Hastings Corps in particular, was doing to relieve the distress and hardship that was unfortunately the lot of too many people in these times. The co-operation of the Army was deeply appreciated by himself and ho wished to take the opportunity of expressing his thanks. “I extend to you this welcome with the utmost sincerity and the earnest hope that you will believe that we as citizens do really appreciate all that you are doing, and that you will enjoy to the greatest extent your nil too short stay with us,” concluded the Mayor. Welcomes were also extended by Mr F. Perrin, on behalf of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce, Airs. Wilson, ot the Hastings Women’s Community Club, Mr. P. J. 8. George, on behalf of the Hastings R.S.A., Cr. R. Baker, Mr. 8. Lancaster, representing the Hastings Citizens’ Band committee, Mr •T. Wilson. Hastings Rotary Chib, and Mr. P. H. Bastin. Brigadier Cottrell, who is in rharge of the district, Captain W. J. Thompson, officer in command of the Ashbnr ton Corps, and Bandmaster G E Argyle, of the visiting band. expressed appreciation and thanks for the heart felt welcome extended to them. Adjutant Hildreth, of the Hastings Corps, expressed thanks to the Mayor for the interest he had taken in the reception of the visitors. Before leaving the chambers, each of the visiting bandsmen was presentsd

with a copy of the official Hastings handbook. After the civic welcome the visiting band made a can at the Hastings Cemetery, where on behalf of the bandsmen and the citizens of Ashburton, Bandmaster Argyle laid a beautiful wreath upon the earthquake grave A brief but impressive service was conducted. the Mayor and Captain Thompson making a few appropriate remarks. THREE PUBLIC APPEARANCES In addition to the special massed bands’ demonstration at Nelson Park to-morrow afternoon, three concert programmes will be given by the visitors. The first will be at the Hastings Citadel this evening at S o'clock and the second will also be at the Citadel to-morrow evening, commencing at 6.45 o’clock, when a special Easter service will be held. The final appearance will be at the Assembly Hall at 8.15 o’clock and this programme promises to be of exceptional merit. The items will be in keeping with Eastertide and the people of Hastings may rest assured that the programme musically will be well up to standard. It is worthy of note that the whole of the band’s repertoire is drawn from publications of the Salvation Army Musical Board and is en tirely the work of Salvation Army musicians. Brigadier W S. Cottrell, Divisional Commander, will be present during the visit of the Ashburton Band to Hast ings and will preside throughout except on Easter Sunday night, when be will fulfil a similar position at Napier, where the Christchurch City Band arc visiting that city. The band leaves Hastings by the mail train on Monday morning. THE CHRISTCHURCH BAND. WELCOMED TO NAPIER. The Christchurch Salvation Army Band were welcomed to Napier at 5 o’clock last evening by some 2000 people, including the Napier Citizens Band and the Technical Boys’ Band which played a stirring march prior to the arrival of the train. His Worship the Mayor of Napier tendered a civic welcome and his remarks eulogised the work of the Salvation Army in New Zcntand particularly in Napier, specially singling out Adjutant Coffin for the splendid work being done in connection with relief measures for tho destitute. The bands then n.arched through the town being given a rousing reception and a tea for 100 bandsmen was held at Salvation Army Citadel when greetings from Mr. W. E. Barnard. M.P. and others were read. At McLean Park a crowd of 2000 people listened to a stirring programme of varied music which was enthusiastically received, especially the march “New Napier” played by the combined bands and the trumpeters of tho Nelson Park School. An insistent encore was given and the selections and marches provoked admiration from all. The band has a splendid ensemble and soulful soloists, the "piece de resistcnce” was the cornet solo by Bandmaster Gofiin who received thunderous applause. There is no doubt that the band has found a place in the hearts of the Napier people and will get a good following this week-end.