VALEDICTORY

Patea Mail, Volume XLIX, 16 November 1928, Page 3

VALEDICTORY

MR. W. AIcCOAIISKY HONOURED. The members of the Patea AluuicipuBrass Band foregathered at the Fire Brigade meeting room on Tuesday nigh, to bid farewell to Mr. W. McComisky, avlio is leaving shortly on a health-re-cruiting A : isit to Australia. His Worship the Mayor, Air. P. S. Finlayson, presided, and a- brief toast list Avas gone through, the folloAving being amongst the toasts honoured; “The King.” “The Borough Council,’’ proposer, by Mr. Hemingway and responded to by His Worship the Mayor. “Local Industries,’’ Air. J. Haworth, “The Baud,’’ Air. F. Ramsbottom and Air. F. Spooner. “Old Bandsmen,’’ Air. L. Adams. Apologies for non-attendance Avcre received from Alessrs. A. T. Christensen, F. T. Kay, M. Carey, and R. W. Hamertou. Air. Spooner, conductor of the band, explained that the gathering was helu to do honour to one avlio Avas uot only a respected citizen, but an old member of their band. Mr. L. T. Adams said Avith the exception of their guest that night he avus the oldest bandsman present. The band avlxcu he joined was conducted by Air. Hamcrton, and the baudroom Avas where the Egmont Dining Rooms now stood. Air. AlcComisky hud tu record for long scrA'ice in the hand that ho coukl be justly proud of. If all towns ha-1 men like him Avho put their heart and soul into their Avork they could consider themselves well off. He avus proud to be there to offer his tribute of praise to the Avork of their guest. (Applause.) Air, Ramsbottom said he avus an old member of the band and avoll remembered its early stages. Time and again ho had come in two nights a Avoek from Ivakaramea to band practices. Atone time a conductor -came doAvn to assist them from Hawera, avllcu they intended going in for a band contest to be held at New Plymouth, but unfortunately the contest fell through. He remembered Alessrs. Fitzgerald, W. Dcrrett, and H. O. Clarke, who had all taken a keen interest in the band. (Applause.)

Mr. C. H. Carey said a bandsman iu-il to practice in order to be .successful. Before be ever thought of joining the baud he used to listen to Mr. McComisky practising every day. Had they ‘all practised as assiduously they would have had a Queen Alexandra Band that day. On behalf of his father, Mr. M. Carey, he would like to wish Mr. McComisky every happiness and prosperity in the future. (Applause.)

Mr. F.' Spoon or said lie remembered the early days of the hard, when they had sonic exceptionally' good musicians amongst members. He well temembevcd their guest that evening ta'king off his coat to play at one practice, so keen was he in his work. He would ask His Worship to present Hr. Me Comisky with sonic slight token of the bandsmen's regard for him. His Worship, in acceding to Bandmaster Spooner's request, said it gave him great pleasure to ask Mr. hi •- Comisky to accept a leather, snitiase from his fellow bandsmen. Among the bandsmen there was none he had greater respect for than Bandsman MeComisky. He was always at -practice, rain, hail, or sunshine. He thanked

him for the assistance he had rendered hinf while he, the speaker, was in charge of the band. He asked Mr. MeComisky to accept a solid leather suitcase with every' good wish from his fellow bandsmen for his future welfare and happiness.

Mr. McComisky said he was very' pleased indeed to be present, ami vo hear the good things they had all said about him. It wvs 37 years since he I ad first joined (he band under Bandmaster Gower. Afterwards he had played under the late Mr. T. E. Hamorton and Mr. H. B. King and others, but the happiest time he had had was II ml or Bandmaster Spooner*. He would not say any more, but thank them most heartily for their kind wishes and their handsome gift. (Applause.)