FAREWELL TO THE BAND

Otago Witness, Issue 3765, 11 May 1926, Page 22

FAREWELL TO THE BAND

DIRECTORS’ PARTING EN TERTAINMENT.

On Tuesday evening the members of the band were entertained in Festival Hall by the directors at an enjoyable private Junction and social evening. Every effort had heen made by the directors to make the band's last association with the Exhibition a particularly happy one, and well they succeeded. The large hall, with its pertect dancimr floor, was specially decorated with greenery and streamers, while the lighting was a feature of the evening. Across the stage was a wide floral banner, the simple message “ Do Not Forget,” picked out in yellow blossoms, while the decorative scheme of th j hail was yellow and green in streamers and hangings. There were some 200 happy guests present—the Exhibition directors, representative commissioners, and many of the friends the bandsmen have made since their arrival in the Exhibition City. Dancing was commenced at 8 p.m., and to music by Gordon’s Band, placed on a dais arched with greenery in the centre of the hall, the couples glided under the brilliant lights, making the most of the hours of farewell. At an interval during the evening the directors and commissioners assembled on the stage, and presentations were made to officers, bandmaster, and men. The speeches were brief, simple, and cheering, yet touched with' a sadness tlia 4 . could not be disguised. All realised that soon the men who had drawn so many thousands to the Exhibition would be gone. Mr J. Sutherland Ross, who was the first speaker, presetted Captain It. C. B. Anderson. M.C., with a handsome smoking cabinet carved as the model of a Maori bouse. “This is the last occasion on which we will gather to spend a social hour with the Highlanders’ Band,” lie said. “It is with many regrets that we part, and I caa assure each and all that none of us will ever forget the pleasure it has been to have had them her«j. The hnnrismen have shown the true Imperial spirit, and during tlieir stay they have been a credit to the British Army, the battalion, and to themselves. Captain Anderson has “mixed in” with everybody during his stay with us, and we sincerely regret having to part with him.” Captain Anderson received an ovation from the onlookers, as did Mr F. J. Ricketts and the men. the singing of “For they are jolly good fellows” following each presentation. In presenting Mr Ricketts with a beautiful writing cabinet engraved with a model of the Festival Ilall in silver, Mr C. Speight said that the popular bandmaster had endeared himself to the public of Dunedin and New Zealand. All realised the great work done by him ns leader of the band during the course of the Exhibition, and it was with deep regret that they bade him farewell. Mr Speight also presented a handsome mounted I Jew Zealand wild boar’s head, which was accepted by Captain Anderson on behalf of the officers’ mess of the 93rd Highlanders Regiment. In reply, 'aptain Anderson expressed the deep thanks of the band to all citizens of Dunedin for the wonderful hospitality of the past six months. The boar's head was part of the Regimental Crest, and as such it would be very highly valued by the regiment as a whole, and the band in particular. The last six months had been a new and pleasant experience for him, and the souvenir gift he had received was very fitting and appropriate. Mr Speight had been the soul of kindness to the bandsmen, and had spared ueither time nor trouble in making things easy in overy way. He also wished to particularly mention the general manager and the secretary, Messrs C. P. Hainsworth and Spence. “Though we part to-morrow, he concluded. “I can assure you we will never forget your hospitality and kindness. On behalf of those who aca coming back I will say, “Au revoir.” For those who cannot return I say “Good-bve.” Mr F. J. Ricketts,* who was greatly affected br the warmth of the reception accorded nim, said he felt the parting keenly—it was very beautiful, and he found it impossible to tell bow much he had appreciated the kindness and hospitality of all. Saturday evening had been the most brilliant moment of his life, and he had

never before been so upset by a demonstration of goodwill and affection. Mr Speight and Captain Anderson then presented the bandsmen with gold medals as souvenirs of their association with the Exhibition, and hearty cheers were given by the guests and returned by the band. Dancing then commenced, and later supper was served in the Dome tea rooms During the evening enjoyable musical items were given by Mrs R. Hudson and Bandsman “Bill” Adams. AN APPRECIATIVE LETTER. The following letter has been received by his Worship the Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley) from Captain Anderson:— Otago Club, Dunedin. May 4. Your Worship,— May I, on the eve of our departure, express to you and v our Cit ,r Council my very sincere thanks for the wonderful hospitality extended to Mr Ricketts, myself, and all ranks of the Band of the 93rd Highlanders. I realise how much work has devolved upon you since the commencement of the Exhibition, and I realise also that, in suite of this work, you and your City Council have always found time to help and entertain both me and the men under my command. May I, on my own behalf, on behalf of Mr Ricketts, and on behalf of all individual members of the band, express, through you, my very warmest thanks to the general public of Dunedin for the loyal support they have given us throughout, for their generosity, and for the wonderful hospitality they have extended to us all. They have made our stay in your city one of the happiest periods in the lives of us all. It is a period full of new and delightful experiences, a period in which we have made new and lasting friendships, and a period of which we shall always retain the very hapniest recollections. I can assure you that it is only with the very deepest regret that necessity compels us to take our departure from your city to-day.— I am, yours sincerely, R. C. B. Andebsox, Captain, Comdg. Band 2nd Bn. the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. AN AFFECTIONATE DEMONSTRATION. On Wednesday, under the blue skies and in the bright sunshine of a perfect Otago m iniii". E>unedm bade ewell to tiie Baud of the 93rd (Argyll and Sutherland) Highlanders. The parting was marked by an enthusiasm that had seldom been equalled in the history of such occasions in Dunedin, and there was an underlying not. of poignant sadness that came to the surface as the time for the departure of the northbound express drew near. The thousands who lined the streets from the Town Hall to the Stock Exchange and down High street to the railway ation. the cheering crowds that thronged the windows ai.d doorways of the buildings, the laughing, but in many cases inoist-e.ved girls, who t*..rew confetti and si—mers —all joined in a magnificent an-.: spontaneous final tribute to the grear musical combination, that has been one of the outstanding features of the Exhibition. Sucii a farewell is witnessed but seldom. It was an expression of deep and cordial goodwill from a people who have taken the young bandsmen into their homes and hearts during the whole course of the Exhibition. Friendships can be binding on when of only six months’ duration, and so sincere have been tin iriendships formed by the men in the Edinburgh of the south that many will return. But there are others who Dunedin will, perhaps, never meet again, and it was to these in particular that the fondest farewens of the crowds were addressed. As the hand marched for the last time through the streets of the city cheer after cheer followed its progress. At its head was the b -ss drummer, and the six inimitable pipers skirled a last rousing march. The band assembled and departed in full uniform in order that time might be saved at Oamaru, where a concert was given last evening. The simple farewell ceremony for the morning was -arranged at a comparatively late hour on Tuesday evening, and the fact that the attendance of the public was so large, following the short notice given, was in itself a great tribute to the .►omil&rity of the band. An official address of parting was delivered by the Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley, M.P.) from the steps of the City Council Chambers at 10.45 a.m., hut long before that hour crowds numbering several thouhad assembled in the Octagon, along the route to be taken by the band its way to the station, and at every vantage point on the nearby buildings. There were present on the steps of the Town Hall the Mayor, Captain R. C. B. Anderson, M.C. (officer in charge of the band), Mr F. J. Ricketts (the bandmaster), and representatives of the Exhibition directorate and management. *T felt that this occasion should not be allowed to pass without asking the c.tizens of Dunedin to join me in this last farewell to the band of the 93rd Highlanders.” said the Mayor. “They hav e endeared themselves to the hearts of all and have been the outstanding success of the Exhibition, attracting visitors from all parts of New Zealand and overseas and delighting one and all every Exhibition afternoon and evening. The stay of the men in the city has been enjoyed by all, and m every way they have proved a credit to the Imperial army to which they belong. I understand that we are to be privileged by having a number of them returning to Dunedin, and I can assure them that whenever (hey arrive they will receive a warm and sincere welcome.” The Mayor then led the singing of “For They are Jolly Good Fellows," which was taken up enthusiastically by the crowds and was followed by prolonged cheering. Captain Anderson, who was greeted with further cheering, said that tne visit to Dunedin would Tong remain one of tho happiest memories of their lives. No city and no people in the world could havo been kinder or more hospitable, and he was absolutely sincere in saying that the past six Exhibition months had been a wonderful experience for the band. Every man in the party deeply appreciated all that had been done “Speech, Mr Ricketts,” was the cry of the crowd who cheered the popular bandmaster to the echo as he stood in the official group. No one felt the parting more than Mr Ricketts—in fact he was

visibly affected by the great expressions of goodwill, and hurried to his place at the bead of the band after parting with 6 few personal friends and expressing his regret at being unable to address hia wait.ng audience. Confetti, streamers, fluttering handkerchiefs and repeated cheers marked tho band s progress to the station, where tho assembled citizens covered the square, and crammed the platform and vantage points. The scenes on the platform when the express arrived from tne south were remarkable. thousands striving outside and inside the station to catch a last glimpse of the departing bandsmen. r lhe Mayor, who had accompanied the band the station, led the singing of “Will Ye No Come Back Again” and other appropriate songs, which were continued with vigour and sincerity by all present. At last came the sound of the whistle from the front of the train. The carriages moved slowly forward, and as the crowd cheered and cheered again the scarlet sleeves of the 93rd Highlanders crammed the windows as the owners waved a reluctant farewell.

ORDERED HOME FOUR PARTLY - CANCELLED. I am of opinion that, in view of recent events at Home, all may not be allowed to go smoothly so far as our tour is concerned. It is quite on the cards that we may suddenly be recalled—l sincerely hope this will not be the case—but I am afraid— This statement was made by Mr F. J. Ricketts, bandmaster of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, in the course of a farewell conversation on the eve of the band’s departure from Dunedin. , Saturday word was received by the Exhibition authorities showing that this prophesy had been fulfilled. War Office orders necessitate the band leaving New Zealand on May 22 by the Remuera from Wellington. The official notification as to the change in tiie itinerary of the tour has been issued by the Exhibition authorities, in whose hands the matter lies and is as follows: In consequence of a peremptory cable* gram from the War Office insisting on the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ Band returning to Britain by the end of June, the Exhibition authorities have not only had to cancel the Canadian tour, but also to rearrange the South Island itinerary, and cancel most of the North Island tour. The band will play at Greymouth today, at Westport to-morrow, at Nelson on Thursday, at Blenheim on Friday. at VV eliington on Saturday and Monday, at Wanganui on Tuesday, at Masterton on \\ ednesday, and at Wellington on Thursclay. After that the band will sail for Britain.

TEE CDRISTCDURCD SEASON. (From Our Special Correspondent) CHRISTCHURCH, May 9. Tne Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Band has enjoyed a succession of brilliant successes since leaving Dunedin, and these culminated in remarkable triumphs on the last two nights of its season in Christchurch. Its performances here have been given in the King Edward Barracks, a huge building in. which several thousand persons can be accommodated. Each evening the band has p.!ayed to a capacity house. Last night large crowds were unable to obtain admittance and the great crowd in the building was most enthusiastic in its reception of thfe band. The ordinary programme was supplemented with “Abide With Me” and “Au!d Lancr Syne,” the audience joining in the latter, after which the band rose to play the National Anthem. A cry for “Colonel Bogey” was re peated insistently from all parts of the building, and Mr Ricketts obligingly acceded to it After the final item the band was loudly cheered, and on Mr Ricketts’s call the men replied with three stirring cheers for the people of Christchurch.