EARLY BAND HISTORY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22353, 29 August 1934, Page 15

EARLY BAND HISTORY

TO the editor. . Sir, —Some time ago there appeared in a local paper a record Of South Island band history, as preserved by Mr A. J. M. Pillinger, of Christchurch, Having been a bandsman from my youtb, I am naturally interested in anything of tins nature.' Although I am now off the active list, yet nothing appeals to me more than the New Zealand Bauds’ Association contests held for A and B Grade bands. But to return to early band history, and incidents of which 1 have knowledge occurring in Dunedin. I^refer to the visit of Sir George Grey in 1866, and later the visit, of the Duke of Edinburgh in 1868 or 1860. At the time of Sir George Grey’s visit, my father, Willie Wvlie, now deceased, was at that time a member of the Provincial Band, and with him was Copen McLeod, father of Messrs F. W. and Archie M’Lcod, so well known to present-day bandsmen and personal friends of myself. I have written Provincial Band instead of Green Island Band, because I am not really sure which it was my father belonged to, but I do know that, Mr M’Leod and he were in the same baud. The Provincial Band was engaged to meet Sir George Grey, and having fulfilled the obligation so well, was further entrusted to escort him as far a 8 Waikouaiti. Although being allowed off for only one day, enthusiasm carried the bandsmen on. and it was several days before roy father reported for work where he worked for Mr W. Barr, of Kaikorai Valley, who subsequently moved to North Otago, and settled on Wairoa farm, now occupied by myself. I am sure the band would not' break down as the Invercargill Fife and Drum Band did, as recorded by Mr Pillinger. when playing the National Anthem. My father later worked on tlie Taieri, and then carted to the gold diggings. He subsequently settled in Maheno, North Otago, in 1872, and he was instrumental, with Robert Thompson, and John Clark as conductor, in founding the Maheno Brass Band. About 1880 these three men bought the instruments of the Ngapara Volunteer Band for £3O.

The other incident to_ which I refer occurred prior to the arrival of the Duke of Edinburgh. The Provincial Band, which came into being on July 22, 1863, when its first practice was held in the Provincial Hotel with a muster of 13, was conducted by Monsieur Floury, a Frenchman, and was popularly spoken of as Fleury’s Band. At this time one would assume that the music journals in New Zealand would be of a limited quantity, and perhaps quality as well. However, for this grand occasion the Battalion Band, which was of more recent organisation, having started in 1867, was in possession of some special number, which was unprocurable by Monsier Fleury. Nothing daunted, Monsier Fleury sent one of his most talented musicians to where the Battalion Band was practising, and, listening outside, James Fraser transferred to manuscript paper a true record of melodies played. In due course Monsieur Fleury wrote parts for the respective instruments, and the band rehearsed the number. On' the arrival of the Duke of Edinburgh, to the astonishment of the other band, Fleury’s Band played its special piece. My informant, who, by the way. is James Fraser’s daughter and my mother-in-law, hale and hearty at the age of 83 years, says; “Aye, and Fleurys Band played it better than the other one, the other bandsmen being flabbergasted to know how Fleury came by it.” About that time, James Fraser's brother, William, was organist in Anderson r s_ Bay Church for several years, later going ,to Australia with his family, two of whom in 1923 and 1924 returned by engagement to the Dunedin Highland Piping and Dancing Association. —I am, etc. v Maheno, August 27. James Wvlte.