CIVIC FAREWELL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 29 August 1945, Page 4

CIVIC FAREWELL

NELSON R.N.Z.A.F. BAND final appearance yesterday APPRECIATION OF SERVICES When the bund of the Nelson R.N.Z.A.F. staf t » made its farewell appearam e in the city yesterday afternoon there was a large attendance of the public to demostrate the popularity of the band and lhe community’s appreciation of the generous services it had given on numerous occasions. The band assembled at the Post Office and marched up Trafalgar st. to the Church Steps where the bandsmen were addressed by the mayor (Mr. E. R. Neale). As an indication of the enthusiasm and energy of the band, and those responsible for its organisation, the Mayor stated that during the 20 months of its existence the band had made one hundred and thirty public appearances in Nelson and the nearby country districts and no fewer than 230 players had been trained for the band in that time. It was emphasised that, unlike the Central R.N.Z.A.F. Band which was composed of full-time players, the bandsmen of the Nelson Air Force Band gave their spare time to band work. They were required to do the ordinary duties of a trainee and pass through the usual trade courses and their duties as bandsmen were a voluntary undertaking. Mr Neale extended the thanks of the citizens of Nelson to the band and wished it farewell and its members a speedy return to civil life. Cpl. Reeves, conductor of the band, was introduced by the mayor who paid a tribute to the work he had done in organising and training the band since its inception. On behalf of the band Cpl. Reeves expressed thanks for the encouragement and enthusiastic reception which the band had always received in Nelson and for the generous farewell which he had been accorded to it. At the conclusion of the brief ceremony the band was given three hearty cheers, which were led by the chairman of the Nelson City Patriotic committee, Mr A. 11. Crawley and followed by the crowd the band then marched back down Trafalgar street, where it halted and played a number of ‘•elections before being dismissed. GUESTS OF Y.M.C.A. CLUB At the conclusion of the farewell parade of the R.N.Z.A.F. Band in the city yesterday afternoon, the members of the band were the guests of the ladies’ committee of the Y.M.C.A. Club, and were entertained at afternoon tea. Cpl. Reeves, on behalf of the band, extended to the ladies’ committee their grateful thanks and appreciation of the hospitality, not only on this occasion, but regularly when the band had paraded in the city for various functions. He stated the band always looked forward to visiting the canteen, where they were always made most welcome and that the club had performed a service which had been greatly appreciated by the members of the Forces. Mrs C. Milner replied on behalf of the committee, thanking the speaker for his remarks and said the committee, and in fact all the helpers of the club, deemed it a pleasure as well as a duty tc do their utmost in entertaining not only the band, but all members of the Armed Forces.

The bandsmen showed their appreciation by acclamation and the clu* workers were accorded musical honours.