COMING BACK

Southland Times, Issue 19897, 16 June 1926, Page 12

COMING BACK

HIGHLAND BANDSMEN SIX TO JOIN ST. KILDA WELLINGTON REPORT INCOM PREHENSIBLE. “I cannot fathom that at all,” commented Mr W. W. Pennycuick, secretary to the St Kilda Band (Dunedin), when the report that a Wellington band had engaged Bandsmen E. Edwards and J. A. Morrell, of the Argyll and Sutherland Band, was referred to him by an Evening Star representative. Before leaving Dunedin on the tour of New Zealand and Canada, several members of the band were approached by the St Hilda Band, and they signed papers promising to join the band on their return from the Old Country. At least 20 of the bandsmen had decided that they would return to Dunedin, and many had made arrangements with friends for their return, and had also engaged employment. Six of these signed up with St Kilda. They were: J. H. Morrell (euphonium player). E. Edwards (drums). F. Wilton (cornet). F. Crawford (solo trombone). V. Wilson (French horn). A. Parkins (solo bass). The Wellington report appeared shortly after the band’s departure. This has mystified Mr Pennycuick, for he received a letter from Bandsman Morrell, written in Wellington on May 16, in which the Highlander stated: “I have had one or two offers since I left dear old Dunedin, but I am for no else.” Mr Pennycuick said he could not understand the Wellington statement that Bandsmen Morrell and Edwards had been engaged. The letter, written just before the band sailed for England, urged that the Sr Kilda members should push through the nomination papers, as the boys wanted to return to New Zealand, and Dunedin in particular, as soon as possible. Morrell advised that he would be leaving England in August. Speaking for the others, he said they wanted the papers hustled through. Under Army regulations, soldiers can leave if three months’ notice is given and they buy themselves out. The buying costs £35, and it was known that many of the boys who had not completed their service intended to save the money and purchase their discharge. The St Kilda Band is paying the cost of the return passages for the men who have signed on. AH the papers are ready, and Mr Pennycuick stated that he was cabling the fare money for the six boys next week. He was expecting them back in Dunedin about September. Asked if employment had been found for the boys nominated as immigrants by the band, Mr Pennycuick replied that work had been promised for five of the bandsmen. The other had stated that he would prefer to have a short holiday on his return but would commence playing for the St Kilda Band immediately. He would look for work himself. The six men engaged by St Kilda are versatile musicians, and can play practically any instrument. Bandsman Morrell wes considered the finest instrumentalist, by his mates, who stated that he could play solo with any instrument. Mr Pennycuick said that, with the addition of the Suiherlanders, St Kilda would be so strong that nothing appeared in the way of its winning the New Zealand brass band championship next year. Before the band left New Zealand it was expected that Piper A. Stevens would be the first man to return to Dunedin.