GISBORNE CITY BAND.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9460, 23 June 1902, Page 2

GISBORNE CITY BAND.

The City Band who hold their monster entertainment in the -Theatre Royal on Coronation eve is quite one of the public institutions of this, district, and a short sketch history will 'be interesting. It whs formed as the trisborne Rifles Band'" in 1877, under Bandmaster .Faram, by Captain Winter, Colonel Porter, and Mr W. F. Crawford.' The Rifle* Band disbanded some ten yeari later to become attached to the J. Battery. Durirfg the Battery's existence a mounted corps known as the East Coast .Hussars was formed and there were also brought into existence the Ormond Rifles, the Ngati- ' porou Rifles and Gisborne Cadets. The Bund was then formed into the Garrison Band and received a full capitation from. Government. Mr Faram resigned and his place was filled by Mr Popplewell, who held the position of bandmaster for twelve months, and then left the dis- ■ trict. Mr Brown was then elected bandmaster, and retained the position until business pressure^ compelled him to resign. Just prior to Mr Brown's resignation the volunteer movement collapsed. It was then decided unanimously to carry on us the City Baud, which, name has been, retained ever since, the instruments and band property being vested in Trustees for the Borough of Upborne, namely Captains Winter and' Warren and Messrs J. W. Nolan, Bedford Sherriff, and Jas. Brown.' The object of the vesting was to obviate any unpleasantness or dispute,as to the ownership of instruments. AfterMr Brown resigned in 1890 Mr Thomas Morrison, who had been twelve or fourken years connected with the Band was appointed bandmaster. Mr Morrison went to the Bands' Contest, and the experience there gained assisted him considerably in the conduct of the Band. Last year the Band were fortunate in securing the assistance of Mr M. Foster, ' under who.se tuition it has made rapid strides,' and may fairly be classed as oiie of the best bands in the colony. The members feel so confident of their ability to make a good comparison with other bands that they have taken steps to secure the North Island Bands' Contest being held here in 1904, and the present entertainment is being held for tGe, purpose of providing funds .to assist in that object. For that reason it,is to be hoped that public patronage will be as liberal us possible, and we have ito doubt, remembering how the Band has given its services gratuitously on every public occasion that it will be bo.