OLLA PODRIDA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7865, 29 July 1911, Page 18

OLLA PODRIDA

Wellington Garrison Band Trill give its usual Sunday evening concert to-morrow night in tlie Town Hall, when, its programme will include the following items: •—Overture, "Tancredi"; grand selection, "Faust”; prayer (Mendelssohn), cornet solo by Mr J. Parker, and an intermezzo. Madame Mueller and Mr Blow will contribute vocal items, and Mr Hollow will accompany, with Lieut. T. Herd conducting, and Mr J. Parker in the lead. Lovers of band music (with the assistance of the above mentioned) can confidently look forward to a real musical treat. Bangiora (Canterbury) Brass Band held its annual meeting last week. The balance-sheet showed the income to have been .£152 15s, and the expenditure .£9l 14e Id, leaving a credit balance of JC6I Os lid. The Hon. D. Buddo was elected patron, the other principal officers being: Bandmaster, Mr W. Harmon; deputy, Mr G. Humphreys; drum-major, Mr M-ehrtens; eorgt., Mr W. Kerr; corporal, Mr 11. Miles; secretary, Mr W. Lace; treasurer, Mr A. Prestney. On account of the execrable weather on Sunday no band performances took place in the city or suburbs. Even tho Maoris appreciate the influence of a brass band. At tho native gathering at Waihi, a brass band was much in evidence, adding not a little to the conviviality. . The success of New Zealanders is always of engrossing interest to .dwellers in "God's Own Country," and it is pleasing to note that John Philip Sousa, at Sydney, has given Mr Alfred Hill a recommendation .to his New York publishers. besides promising to introduce Air Hill s music into tho United States. A meeting of those in favour of procuring a musicians award (similar to that of Sydney) was held early this week in Wellington, but so fax (the meeting being held in camera) tho results have not been disclosed. As publicity is an important factor in matters of this sort, tho reticence of the promoters in not giving some result of the meeting is inexplicable. Word from Nelson states that the City Band is forging ahead under the oonductorship of Mr T. Scott. Though most of his time is taken up with teaching the young (school) idea how to shoot, Mr Scott has also spare timo enough to manage a boys' bugle band, which is also making a name for itself. Mr J. G. Bennett, who recently returned from a trip to tho Old Country, has rejoined his old band (Wellington Garrison) and fills in his spare time by playing the cornet for the Wellington Working Men's Club orchestra. From a correspondent comes word that the new band formed in Nelson by Mr George Mockler —the Elite—failed to make any headway, and has practically "passed out."' Want of funds and no public support hastened its end. Sio transit, etc. Nelson Garrison Band (conductor, Mr T. Hughes) seems to have an attack of "sleeping sickness." and is not keeping up to the mark. Perhaps if it interested itself a little more in contest work a trifle more enthusiasm might become diffused among the members. It's worth trying! The men who play tho big drum in the Servian army must have an easier lot tha.r> the drummers of other lands, for they do not have to carry their own: drums. In nearly all cases, instead of being slung in front of the men who plays it, the instrument is put on a | small two-wheel cart drawn by a large dog. Of course the drummer must play as he marches, but the dog is so well trained that there is- no difficulty in. doing this. Tho animal keep*; its place even through, the longest marches, and the drummer walks behind the cart performing on his instrument as he geos along. Each regiment is provided with two or three big drums, but few regiments have a band, j