BAND CONCERT AT CAVERSHAM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12640, 18 April 1903, Page 4

BAND CONCERT AT CAVERSHAM.

The Caversham Brass Band made its first public appearanco last evening, when it treated tlie residents of the district to a musical evening. The invitations which had been made by ticket and advertisement were largely taken advantage of, the Caversham Hall being practically filled by those in attendance. Tho Mayor of Caversham (Mr J. Wilson), who is also president of tho band, occupied the clinir, and nearly all the other councillors were on the platform or occupied seats in the hall.

Tlie Chairman made n fev. , preliminary remarks explaining tho circumstances which had led up to the formation of the band, and said Hint it was intended to ask those who desired to show their practical sympathy with the movement to stay behind and form a.comriiiltek: with'tho object of assisting in the bazaar which the band proposed to hold to raise funds to pay for their instruments. The baud deserved all the support it could get, and he was sure that if it did its best to become efficient : it would, get it. The light, which had been very fwiblo from the commencement, flared up suddenly in the middle of the chair? man's remarks, but the unexpected brilliancy lasted, only a few seconds, and the Mayor finished his speech in sonii-darkiiess, the gaslisht having gone down as suddenly as it flared up. Various were the.speculations as to the; fickleness of .the gas ) jots, Some . .nervous' people predicted anotjiel blow-up at ih§ gasi works; others laughingly blamed the small hoy for practical jokes al the motor, Investigation, however, showed that there was no truth in either statement, for tho meter had not been touched, and the gas in the street was burning brightly. It \va? clearly impossible to.go on with the concert under the circumstances,'and,' after n, proposal had been, matin !hat the bajid should utilise their torches, die district coo-

I stable was despatched with instructions to capture the nearest plumber and bring him willynilly to the hall, so that ho might rectify things. The policeman, fortunately, was successful in his errand, lie audience during his absence being entertained with a- selection on the graphophone. It was quickly found that the fault was one easily remedied, a, supply of water. I to tho meter being all that was required to light up the hall as satisfactorily us could ba desired. The thirst of tho meter having been quenched, the programme arranged was proceeded with and carried out most successfully. Messrs Wright and Muir contributed songs, Mr and Miss Stubbs gave a duet, Mr Mills a recitation, and Miss May Cadogan a pianoforte solo. Selections were given by Mr Pago on the graphophone, and tho bind contributed several selections in a. manner which inflicated that during the few months of its existence il hsd made good progress under the charge oi its capable conductor (Mr E; Stratton). During the evening Councillor Burgess made a short speooh, in which ho impressed upon those present the claims of the band to 4ho support of the residents of the district. He also expressed the opinion that the council itself should do everything in i' B power in the way of encouraging the band. Af the conclusion of tho concert a, number of potaoiu remained behind to associate themselves with tho members of the band in working up the proposed bazaar. Mr Burlinson, who had been Livited, could not attend, but sent an apology and hie good wishes for the success of the band.