AIR FORCE BAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25564, 17 June 1944, Page 6

AIR FORCE BAND

TOUR OF SOUTH PACIFIC PERFORMANCES IN NOUMEA (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent) . NEW CALEDONIA, (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) June 16. The band of the R.N.Z.A.F. auspiciously opened its South Pacific tour this morning with a march through the streets of Noumea, the capital city of this island, before entering upon a series of performances at New Zealand and Allied camps in base and forward areas. The ,white-gloved, blue-uni-formed band made a spectacular sight as it played “Marche Lorraine,’ “Namur,” and “March of the King’s Men,” with ceremonial flourishes that appealed to large civilian and army crowds.

The band gave salutes as it passed the Allied naval and army headquarters, and the residence of the French Governor, who was at the gates of Government House to lake the salute.

Before going to Solomons areas the band will give programmes at the local hospital and camps for the next fortnight. M. Jucues Tallec, the Governor of New Caledonia, and High Commissioner of the French Possessions in the South Pacific, sent the following message to the band after the initial parade:—“ Please accept my thanks for the courtesy paid to the French people by the presence of your band. I was deeply moved by their magnificent playing of ‘Marche Lorraine.’ The band has made a deep impression by its splendid bearing and musical excellence.”