EARLY MORNING INVASION OF WHANGAREI

Northern Advocate, 24 October 1936, Page 6

EARLY MORNING INVASION OF WHANGAREI

“Good morning, Whangarei!” “Good, morning everybody!” For once in the year at least the the daily routine at the railway station today was .different. It was not the chirping of the sparrows that signalled the advent of a new. day. It was not even the puffing of a locomotive. It was something unusual, rather unique in fact. The town was awakened by the visiting bandsmen. It was they who created an early stir, not so much for themselves, perhaps, but for quite a number of local people. It waS certainly an invasion in the very sense of the word. , But the strangers were not coming as plunderers.

They were to be guests of Northland’s capital city for Labour week-end, and, as tradition has it, their reception was regal and genuine. In fact, it was tangibly so. Breakfast Session.

When an “Advocate” reporter, who would probably, have still been between the sheets but for this event, made his-way down the station road at 7 o’clock, he found that the breakfast session was *in full swing.

A long improvised' table was heay j ily covered with sandwiches, . boiled eggs, cakes, tea and coffee, but just for the moment. It must be an understood thing that a good , band is made bp of good eaters. This being so, we predict an unenviable task for the judge of the contests,' which, after all, have brought these men to Whangarei. They came by a special excursion train.

There were 350 of them and also 50 folk not sporting a uniform, which is part and parcel of a bandsman. They were just ordinary visitors, although some may have been related to Mr James Khana, who will be in his element on Monday. ' ' ’ On Road Since Midnight.

The special, of 13 carriages, two AB engines and van, swung into the station at twenty to six. It had been on the road since five past twelve, at which time it bid adieu to Auckland. The complement comprised 350 at the outset, but another 50 boarded at Newmarket, Mt. Eden and Avondale. The only other stops were at Helensville and Maungaturoto, where the provision of refreshments very popular. Altogether there were six bands on the train, whose uniforms, evidently spruced up to catch the judge’s eye, bore braids of various hues, all very attractive. The most travelled band was the Te Awamutu contingent, and it seemed rather fitting that they should occupy the first carriage. Little Sleep.

' A composer of jazz may have found scope for" some catchy hits had he been one of the 400. For some of the way up, at least, it literally thundered inside and out. It is doubtful whether anybody on the tj'ain snatched a wink’s sleep. One composer may have selected as a new title: “The music goes down and round, but the rain comes down right here.” It rained practically throughout the whole journey. There was even light-, ning and the rowdy element, but with the “trainers,” the call was for music and more music. And so well was the call answered that the whole affair resolved itself into a travelling concert. There was no scarcity of artists, no lack of applause and no intervals.

Items flowed like the rain and among them were some real gems. A Maori haka by a member of the Auckland Watersiders Band was still being talked about over breakfast. Clouds Roll Away.

It was still raining when the special was braked at Whangarei. To our yisitors, it was certainly a dismal outlook. But as Whangarei stirred so did Jupiter Pluvius. The , clouds rolled away to the north and south, a lovely blue sky awaited the sun, and in the space of a few minutes, the scene overhead had undergone a complete transformation.

Cheered by the departure of the rain, and the hot tea and edibles, so well provided and dispensed by members of the Whangarei Women’s. Institute, Civic League, W.D.F.U. and lady supporters of the band, the bandsmen were soon all smiles and looking forward to a pleasant three days in Whangarei. They certainly started off in the right way and, as if to prove how welcome they really are. the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs W. Jones, were at the station before 7 o’clock to assist in making them feel at home. Those billeting the visitors were there to meet their week-end guests.