TRAMWAY BAND SOCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19196, 12 June 1924, Page 8

TRAMWAY BAND SOCIAL.

The Dunedin Municipal Tramway Band held a very enjoyable social in Kroon’s Hall last night. Mr .1 S. Douglas presided, and there was a large attendance, including the Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley), and Mr W. H. Mackenzie (manager of the tramways). The Chairman, in his opening remarks, said the councillors, as well as the citizens generally, were very proud of the Tramways Bur.d t’nd the bandsmen deserved every nedit lor the amount of time they devoted to practices and performances. He wished them every success. The toast oi ' The New Zealand Brass Bands Association ” was proposed by the Mayor lie said the City Council should do everything in its power to show its support and sympathv for iU Tramway Band. In fact, every band in the, dominion deserved the "support ot the civic authorities and the public generally The Dunedin Council is to be congratulated on possessing a Tramways Band. The tramway men then selves formed the band, and its formation was entirely due to their efforts, without any assistance from the council. The tramway employees v ere to bo congratulated on their enter prise. It was worth mentioning that they had never asked the council for anything. It was to be hoped that this enterprising, self-reliant attitude would be maintained, and that the band in time would be one of (he foremost in the dominion. He was sorrv more councillors could not be present at that gathering, but he was sure the band had their sympathy. Towns would be dull places without bands, and hands did not get full credit- for the work they did gratuitously for charitable or philanthropic functions. Dunedin citizens should be gratefu’ for this. He paid a tribute to Dr H. T. J. Thacker, of Christchurch (the president of ilie Banda’ Association) for the tower of strength he had been to the association. The doctor had presented a shield for competition, and he ithe speaker) hoped that at the coming Exhibition competition the Dunedin Tramways Band would not only enter for this shield, but would win it. " If you can you will, and if you will you can, ’ concluded the Mayor. Mr 11. Thompson (bandmaster of the Band of the First Battalion), in responding, said that if there were no association there would practically be no competitions, and without competitions where the various bands could compete, there would not be the neuessnrv rivalry to bring out the best in. the bands. These tests had elevated the status of the various bands, and were of great educational value. Young bands or soloists should not he downhearted because prizes did not come their way in their initial attempts, but they should go on trying, and profit by their mistakes Every champion competitor had had to start at the bottom of the ladder. The toast of “The Tramway Staff’’ was proposed by Mr J. S. Douglas (chairman of the Tramways Committee of the City Council). He said that the trams had to be loin for the benefit of the community as a whole —not for any me section. Of course, there would always be differenree of opinion between the staff and the controlling author! ties. He had attended the recent Tramways Conference in . Wellington, and wan very gratified at the conciliatory spirit that was shown there on both sides. They would all like to see ideal conditions prevailing, but finance was tho great stumbling block.

Then again, the Government regulations were “beyond words”! For instance, if the trams had to alow down to six miles an hour when paeoing motors, they could never keep to a time-table. The council recognised that the union was a good thing, but they must hove sensible men at the head. He congratulated the men cn their present executive. Mr G. Hill (president of the Dunedin Tramways Union), in responding, reciprocated Mr Douglas's remarks regarding the fine spirit prevailing at the Wellington Conference. In all his dealings with the council he knew it endeavoured to be fair. They realised the council were Up against it. Tne Tramways Committee had always given him a good hearing. He had not got all the union hod asked for, but he had to be content with a little at a time. He knew the council wanted to do the right thing for kit concerned, but. of course, expense had to bo taken into consideration. He concluded by paying a tribute to Mr W. H. Mackenzie, the manager of the tramways. Other toasts honoured were “Tho Dunedin Bands,” “City Fathers,” “The Ladies, “The Performers,” and "The Fiess. The toasts were interspersed with musical items and recitations, the performers being Messrs A. Walker, C. Dollan, H. W. Clifford, R. Johnson, G. Johnson, R. Richards, G. F. Ward, W. Parks, H. Jackson. W. H. Mackenzie, Mr H. Findlay being the accompanist, and last, but ,not least, Mr H. L. Tapley, who told droll stories, his "Hooley, Hooley” being especially appreciated. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” brought a very convivial evening to a close.