REDFERN BAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18906, 5 July 1923, Page 5

REDFERN BAND

HAPPY IMPRESSIONS OF NEAV ZEALAND.

Mr Les H. Bligh ; business manager of the Redfern Municipal Band, in dealing with its visit to New Zealand in February of this year, contributes an enthusiastic and most complimentary account of the trip to a recent issue of “The Australasian Bandsman." Speaking of his arrival in Wellington he says, “All I oamo in contact with received mo with open arms, and were only too willing to help mo in every possible way to carry out my one gieat aim—achievement. Fellow bandsmen, citizens, and the press all joined in our interests, and therein I am proud to say. lies the greater part of the secret cf our financial success. ” Mr Bligh goes on to describe the cordial and generous reception given the band at Wellington, Christchurch, Ashburton. Timaru, and Dunedin. “On Friday, March 2.” ho continues; “wo left the shores of New Zealand very glad in ono way to bo going home again, but very sorry indeed to have to leave the numbers of warm-hearted friends and comrades who had given us such a wonderful and enjoyable time in “God's Own Country. ’ It is a groat pity that more Australian bands do not participate in the dominion band contests, and 1 am sur© it will not be the fault of tho Redfern Band if they cannot induce many other bands to go there in tho near future as they themselves intend doing. There is one great thing Australia can learn from our New Zealand friends and that is how to organise and conduct a contest. Even our noted conductor, Mr AV. M. Partington, admits that he had never before attended a contest so thoroughly and successfully carried out. Everything was perfect in every detail, and tho management committee is worthy of tho greatest praise.”