BAND QUEEN CARNIVAL

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4429, 15 August 1939, Page 4

BAND QUEEN CARNIVAL

SPORTS PRINCESS’ ACTTVTTTE.S

On Wednesday evening last a concert party under the austicee of the Sports Princess journeyed to Glenorchy where they were accorded a warm welcome by the residents of the Head of the Lake and outlying districts. On arrival the visitors were entertained in a royal way with a cup of tea and sandwiches and cakes by the Knowles brothers, after which they adjourned to Knowles’ spacious garage where the baud opened the .concert with a rousing march. The items were of a high standard and were well received by the audi-ence—tap-dancing, horn-pipe?, - singing, recitations, melody and comedy were pleasantly interwoven, forming .the basis of a very enjoyable .program. Speakers for the evening were Mr J. T. Lynch, thanking the patrons on benalf of the Sports Princess; Mr G. D. Cochrane, expressing the band’s appreciation of the help rendered it by. the local residentsi and promising a return visit and Air D. K. Knowles, on behalf of the residents thanking the yisitorsi for their pleasing entertainment and promising the band their unfailing and ready support. At the conclusion of the program a dance was held until midnight when the visitors took their departure amidst the good wishes and thanks of the residents.

The community sing held in tire Town Hall on Saturday evening in aid of the Sports Princess fund proved a great success. The attendance was not what might have been expected. However, the success of the sing was due to the good offices of Messrs J. Himburg (Hemi) of 4YA /fame. F. White, E. Paris and Alisis Muriel Caddie of Dunedin, who came to Queenstown specially for the occasion. “Hemi” in his inimitable style, known to 4YA listeners, kept his audience amused throughout an interesting programme of choruses, amusing stories and sallies. Air F. White was highly entertaining in his humorous songs and monologues and had to respond to insistent’ encores. ’Air E. Paris was heard in two pleasing vocal numbers. Alisis Caddie proved an efficient accompaniste. During the sing the Sports Princess (Miss Doris Harris) appeared on the stage and roars of laughter went up when “Hemi’’ gave her a “spanking" kiss. A sale of sweets helped to swell the receipts as also did a well attended dance which was held after the sing. Mr J. Robinson, chairman of the Sports Princess, committee, thanked the Dunedin for providing a very pleasant evening.

Tonight in the Town Hall the Citizens Princess will hold a Community Sing where instructions' will be given prior to recording. A Highland pipe band will be in attendance. On Thursday a Euchre and Dance- will be held in Scotts tearoom-si and Saturday evening a Cinderella Dance in Hie Garrison Hall. •( .The Country Princess will hold a Euchre and Dance in Arthurs Point school on Monday evening .next.

QUEEX CARNIVAL. (To the Editor). > Great eflouts arc being made by the various committees connected with the Queen Carnival at present in progress- to raise funds to jiranerly equip our Municipal Brass' ‘ Hand. Functions of various- kinds have been and are being organised but none seem to bo meeting with the support they deserve on their own merits apart from the merits of the object in view. At one period in its history Queenstown had a band capable to bold its own with any town band and many of the city bands in New Zealand. There is now a possibility that the proud position our band bold can. to_ some degree, be regained, provided instruments' lit for service can lie obtained. We have- the music and Hie members but lack the cash to buv instruments. The various Princess' committees are giving time, thought and effort to devising entertainments in the endeavour to raise the necessary fund but the public is not responding as it could. Take the most recently held function as a case in point. The Sports Princess’ committee arranged at considerable expense for a party from Dunedin to visit Queenstown and conduct .a “Community Sing”; there 1 were a fair number of people present but more stayed away. The' writer. does not know if a profit wasi made on the night but the point is that for a show the like of that provided the hall should have been crowded to the doors but it was- not. Taking into consideration the obi cots- of the .effort the hall should have been far too small to accommodate those wishin to attend. Other prior functions have had a similar half-hearted support. Do the people- of Queenstown realise the help a band is in the social life of a community .or -is something wrong with the committees and their efforts to please? BAND ENTHUSIAST.