SALVATION ARMY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22713, 28 October 1935, Page 13

SALVATION ARMY

COMBINED BANDS’ FESTIVAL With no fewer than nine bauds from the districts between Christchurch and Invercargill participating, the combined musical festival which opened on Saturday under the auspices of the Salvation Army should prove a notable event in the Army’s annual calendar of fixtures. This is the first occasion on which such a festival has been held in the South Island and that not only supporters of the Army but the public as well .verc fully alive to its importance was indicated by the larged crowds which witnessed the parade of the bands, and the attendance which packed the Citadel in the evening. Nearly 250 bandsmen paraded on Saturday afternoou and marched from the Railway Station up Stuart street, along Princes street, and down Dowling street to the Early Settlers’ Hall, where they were entertained at tea by the Dunedin corps. Lieutenant-colonel Burton, field secretary for New Zealand, who is temporarily in charge of the Dunedin district, and Bandmaster A. Millard, extended a welcome to the visitors, and at the conclusion of the function the bands again marched off, and, each taking a different route, reassembled at the Citadel. Colonel Orsborn, chief secretary for New Zealand, presided at the evening function, for which a musical programme of unusual length and quality had been arranged. In addition to selections ly the various bands, individual m. bers were given by members of the visiting and city bands, variety being leut by vocal items rendered by the Dunedin City, Dunedin South, Invercargill, and Ws : - mate Songsters. Yesterday morning a conference of bandsmen was held in the Early .Settlers' Hall, musical meetings being held in the morning and afternoon in the Citadel. The festival will be concluded to-day.