MILITARY TATTOO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17649, 9 December 1920, Page 8

MILITARY TATTOO.

IMMENSE CROWD PRESENT.

Fifteen thousand people filled the grandstand and covered the slopes of the Domain last evening, when a military tattoo was held in conjunction with the Auckland Bands' Association. About 3CCO troops, consisting of territorials andsenior cadets, took part in a spectacle entitled " A Soldier's Life." The movements of the troops were carried out under the direction of Colonel J. P. Stevenson, but owing to the overcast sky and the fact that searchlights were not available, the greater part of the manoeuvres took place in complete darkness, and had to be left to the imagination. An excellent band programme, under the supervision of Lieutenant J. T. • Lighten, was , played by a brass band of 60 performers stationed in front of the grandstand. The selections covered a range of subjects representing various phases of the life of a" soldier on active service, commencing with the six o'clock reveille following with the embarkation of the troops, a storm: at sea; the landing, the march to war, night alarm, a battle, victory, -and the return of the. troops, concluding 'with the" playing of "Home, Sweet Home," and "God Save the King." The principal band was supported at times by a number of other brass and pipe bands. The battle effects were obtained by the use of coloured lights .on the hillsides, and by.the explosion of detonators and fireworks. The proceeds will be devoted to the band contest funds.