FAREWELL TO MR. A. M. PICKFORD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11125, 14 November 1907, Page 7

FAREWELL TO MR. A. M. PICKFORD.

A large number of bandsmen attended a rc-uniun and farewell gathering, tendered to Mr A. M. Pickiord, m Dustin's rooms last night. A long list of toasts were gone through, which was headed as usual by "The King." Mr James Brown, who occupied the cliair, apologised for the absence of the president, his Worship the Mayor. Apologies were also received from Messrs W. L. Clayton and M. L. Foster. In proposing a toast to "The North Island Brass Band Association," Mr Spurdle said tliat no doubt the Association had done a great deal for bands, but it was his opinion tliat the Association could do more. The question now before the Association was how to benefit the bandsmen. The Association had also done a great deal towards improving music, and Jie instanced the improvement that was shown at the Masterton and) Christchurch contests. — In response, Mr A. M. Pickford said there was no doubt the Association was formed for the purpose of pushing on band work, and it had done that to some extent, and believed it was going to do more still. It was a big organisation, and the contests were great undertakings. There was always dissatisfaction at every contest and always some little difficulties, but they would be covered up m time. It was the only Bands Association m New Zealand that seemed to be a successful institution, and that was largely due to the good work, of the secretaiy, Mr Holborn, and the president, Mr Cow-en. Referring to the question of "packing,"- Mr Pickiord said that difficulty would soon be overcome, as the rule dealing with the matter was to be more strictly adhered to. If he had a seat on the Association again, Mr Pickford said he Avould urge that each player when leaving a band be supplied with a certificate, signed by the secretary and president, and he would ' then have no difficulty m getting into another band. The secretary, Mr J. McConnell, then proposed "The President, vice-president, honorary and life members," which was responded to by Messrs W. Webb, G. Darton, C. Adair, and J. Brown. All the speakers joined m wishing their parting bandsman every success m bis; new sphere. Mr Brown said -''the City Band had been m existence for thirty years, and had kept going right through without a break. '„-■ The Chairman then took the opportunity of presenting Mr E. S. Spurdle with a gold medal, m recognition of liis 20 years' continued service m the band. Mr Brown said there were not many bandsmen who had done their duty so well as Mr Spurdle, and a more enthusiastic member never belonged to the band. Mr Brown hoped he would remain a. member, and do aa he had done m the past* — In thanking the members of the band for their kind gift, Mr Spurdle said he had thought of mentioning a number of times that he . considered all good bandsmen who had'been five years m a band should receive some recognition. Five years was a good average. Mr A. G. Beere, who was entrusted with "Ouir Parting Friend," said, that: possibly there were some present, who did not know what Mr Pickford had done for the City Band. There .were many ways a man could assist a band, and also many ways a man could keep a band back. Mr Pickford was one of those, men who had pushed the band on. Bandsmen, as a whole, were amongst the, most unselfish that it was possible to' find. Tliey had to give up so much time— which was done most ungrudgingly and willingly — to the • public at large. Of all organisations the band was the leading one for public benefit. Sir Pickford was one of the tmost unselfish men that it was possible to come across. Mr Beere wag extremely -sony he was leaving the band, and was sure his place would be difficult to fill. Mr Pickford said lie wa,-*/ sorry he was leaving the band. . The band m Gisborne really wanted assistance ; more than it had had. There was no doubt the one big point to be gained by thei band was the formation of the citizens' committee. Mr Pickford believed the band was up to that standard when it must have more money and more support to enable it to get along. He would watch the City Band' veiy closely,, and it would give him much pleasure to hear that a Citizens' Committee had beei.- formed ' to push the band ahead. The band's work was work | for the public- and they should support it. It had been asked to turn out on some of the most ridiculous occasions, and had always done so. He only hoped that the band would be kept going. Mr Ellerbeck proposed "The- Volunteers," and m doing so pointed out that the .volunteers.- could do a great deal towards helping the band along. — Replying, ■Captain Beere and Quartermaster-Ser-geant Zachariah said they would do all m their power to help on the band. Captain Beere said he had endeavored to get the band as a. battalion band', but had not succeeded so far. "Tlie Present Officers" was "well handled by Mr C. Adair, who pointed out that the band must have good officer^ if it would- go ahead. — Mi* Richards '(deputy bandmaster) and Mr J. McConnell replied. Mr Richards said that as far as the musical portion of the band went, there might not have been* very much improvement. They were endeavoring "to .secure a good conductor, which; the band wa6 very much m need of. With the assistance of. a good committee to raise funds", they would be able to go to the contests. After "The Ladies" . and ■"Press" • had * been, duly honored, a good deal was said m connection with the Citizens' Committee suggested by Mr Pickford. Mr W. Webb and Mr Darton said they would do what they could m the matter, and were sure a number of others would willingly assist. As president of the Cook County Curious Coons, Mr Laurenson intimated that the company would give the net proceeds of their second entertainment to the band. (Applause.) During the evening songs were given by Messrs Miller, Zachariah, Jl.aurensbn, Trent, Galloway, and McCaskell. The catering was excellently carried out by Mr Du-stin, and a successful evening was brought to a close shortly after 11 o'clock with sirajing "A vid Lang Sync."