BANDSMAN’S RECORD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22742, 30 November 1935, Page 21

BANDSMAN’S RECORD

SIXTY YEARS’ SERVICE There was a good attendance lust evening at a complimentary social tendered by the Band of the Ist Battalion Otago Regiment to Sergeant P. C. George, who has been a member of the band since its formation nearly 60 years ago. Lieuten-ant-colonel J. M'Pherson, O.C. Otago Regiment, presided. The chairman said there were occasions when doing one’s duty. was a pleasure, and this was one of those occasions. It was particularly appropriate that the function should have been opened with the band march, “ Old Comrades.” Looking round the room he could see several who had been connected with the baud before the majority of those present had been born.

The toast of “ Ex-Members ” was pro posed by Sergeant J. R. Flinders, who said the band would celebrate its sixtieth anniversary next year. The fact that it had survived so long was due to the traditions for which the old members had been responsible. He paid a tribute to the manner in which ex-members supported the band.

Mr R. T. Little, in reply, gave some interesting details about the band during the time he had been associated with it, and paid a tribute to the musical training he had received under Sergeant George. Proposing the toast of “ Sergeant Percy C. George/' the chairman spoke first of the long and faithful service which the B'; of the evening had given to the , and paid a tribute to him both us a player and as a unit of a military or ganisation. The speaker went on to deai with the history of the band, making special reference to the part played by Sergeant George. Mr E. R. Smith said that on January 13. 1850. Sergeant George first saw the light of day in London, and on the same day the speaker was born at Kuri Bush. His own record paled beside that of Setgea it George, whose name would long be reir. imbered. He mentioned others who had given long and faithful service, meu tioning specially Mr S. George. He knew the band better under its old name of the Garrison Band. It had never failed in the old days to turn out first thing in the morning when the regiment was in camp, and he could recall many occasions when the instruments must have been frozen.

Mr J. F. Himburg, on behalf of the musical organisations of the city, paid a tribute to Sergeant George’s record, and related several anecdotes connected with hie musical experience. Sergeant George returned thanks for the honour that had been accorded him. His band days had been happy ones, and he had made many friends. In his early days he had found himself out of work, and had got into a circus, which had provided him with valuable musical experience, He had always made a practice of helping the bandsman next to him, and in doing so he had helped himself. He spoke briefly of other musical organisations with which he had been connected, and related some entertaining anecdotes of his band life. The toast of “ The Band ” was proposed by Mr T. Vernon Griffiths, who first of all paid a tribute to the musical director (Mr L. 0. Asten). The fact that men such as Signor Squarise and Mr Thompson had been bandmasters, he said, indicated the solidarity of the organisation and the manner in which the old members held together. This was in itself a tribute, to the band. The history of the band meant different things to different people. To some it meant martial scenes, to some it meant a period of musical development, and to others it meant a history of brotherhood. He referred to the coming diamond jubilee, and spoke of the value of the musical training the members received. In conclusion, he stated that the band was worthy of the fullest support of the public. Other toasts honoured were “ Officers of the Regiment,” proposed by Sergeant J. Dey and responded to by Mr A. S. Falconer and Lieutenant-colonel J, MTherson; “The Returned Soldiers’ Association,” proposed by Major J. M. Samson and responded to by Mr H. L. Paterson: and “The City Council,” proposed by Mr E. R. Smith and responded to by the Mayor (the Rev. E, T. Cox).

During the evening items were presented by Mr S. Angel and Bandsmen T. Curreri and F. Robb. Mr A. H. Pettitt played the accompaniments.