ROYAL ARTILLERY BAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15550, 6 March 1914, Page 8

ROYAL ARTILLERY BAND

A FAREWELL MESSAGE.

KINDNESS APPRECIATED.

NEW ZEALAND MUSIC.

[BT TELEGRAPH. — ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Thursday. The Royal Artillery Band, which came to New Zealand under engagement by the Auckland Exhibition authorities, left for England by the Ruapehu. Captain Preston, officer in command, desires, on behalf of the' members of the band, to express his hearty appreciation of the splendid receptions they have been given everywhere at their concerts in New Zealand- He also wishes to acknowledge the liberal treatment accorded them by the Exhibition authorities, who, he said, did everything they could to ensure their comfort.

" We are very grateful for the hospitality which has everywhere been shown to us, and we_ carry away pleasant memories of our stay in New Zealand," said Captain Preston. What struck him most in the South Island was its similarity to parts of the Old Country, and when he came to the North Island he was charmed with its primeval forests and amazed at its thermal wonders. "And as to sport," he added, "well, I have had the best trout-fishing in my life at Taupo." Members of the Royal Artillery Band had few opportunities of hearing the bands of New Zealand, as they were on tour during the band contests at the Exhibition, but the opinion is expressed that wood-wind instruments are required in the Dominion bands, and constant practice is essential. On its way to New Zealand, the Royal Artillery Band practised, on an average, four hours every day.