CITY INVADED

Southland Times, Issue 21652, 14 March 1932, Page 5

CITY INVADED

DUNEDIN EXCURSION OVER 2000 VISITORS ARRIVE THREE TRAIN'S NECESSARY. The streets of Invercargill, usually so deserted on Sundays, yesterday presented an animated appearance when an invasion of the city was made by over 2000 Dunedin residents wdio took advantage of the Railway Department’s one-day excursion to pay a flying visit south. Although the weather was wet at Dunedin when the trains left in the morning it. was fine during the stay of the excursionists in Invercargill and in every way the outing proved a most enjoyable one. Similar excursions from Invercargill to Dunedin in the past proving very’ successful, the Department made arrangements for a trip to be made in the opposite direction. It was soon apparent that the innovation would be very’ popular as the first train was quickly booked up. Another was put on and as the bookings by' the two totalled 1600 with others applying, another train was necessary'. Accordingly three trains were necessary to bring the crowds to Invercargill yesterday. The first which left Dunedin at 7.15 a.m. and arrived here at 11.42 a.m., consisted of two engines, and 19 carriages, lhe passengers on this train numbered 850, a number of whom, unable to secure seats, were obliged to stand. The second train of similar length left at. 7.45 a.m. and arrived here at 12.12 p.m. with 790 passengers aboard and the third, consisting of twelve carriages, left at 8.5 and arrived at 12.33 p.m. with 650 passengers. The railway station bore an exceedingly busy' appearance on the arrival of the trains, there being a large crowd of local residents present to welcome the visitors. Private cars, taxis, trams and buses all played their part in transporting the excursionists to various points of interest in and about the city. Eating-houses experienced a busy time catering for the wants of the visitors. A number, however, brought their own food and to these_ hot water was available for a typical picnic luncheon.

A Musical Treat. A crowd of over 4000 people were present at the showgrounsd in the afternoon when, under ideal conditions, the St. Kilda Band, of Dunedin, in conjunction with the local Civic Band, gave a most enjoyable concert. As the bands marched along Dee street to the showgrounds they were •followed by an admiring crowd. Last month the northern band competed in the New Zealand Contest held at Wellington where, in addition to emerging as winner of the Dominion quickstep championship, acquitted itself meritoriously in the Test pieces. The members certainly enhanced the reputation which had preceded their visit to Invercargill yesterday by their splendid treatment of the musical numbers of the programme, while the climax of the afternoon was provided by' their quickstep display. Under the baton of Mr J. Dixon, the visiting band, of some 26 members in strength, first delighted the crowd with spirited marches anil other attractive items, the audience showing its appreciation in no uncertain manner. Then followed the Civic Band, under the conductorship of Mr A. IL Wills, and its numbers, too, found favour. But it was the quickstep which aroused the enthusiasm of the spectators, who, time and again, broke into round after round of well-deserved applause of a searching, military, marching test, the music for which was the “8.8. and C.F.” march. The effort of the visitors was an outstanding one, fully' worthy' of a band that has long excelled in drill. They marched with guardsmanlike precision and the necessary wheels and abrupt turns were executed in a manner which reflected long and conscientious practice. Led by' their drummajor, Mr W. Donaldson, the bandsmen carried out a performance exactly along the lines of that which won them the championship at the contest and the marching and the various evolutions could not but vividly impress the onlookers. Musically, too, their effort was very good, a feature being the distinctly clear and dainty cornet playing, and as the northerners, in their well-dressed lines, came to a halt in front of the crowded grandstand, the excellence of their display was recognized by sustained applause. At the conclusion of the quickstep exhibition, both bands, under the conductortorship of Mr J. Dixon, gave ti stirring rendering of the always popular “Colonel Bogey,” and the concert was then brought to its conclusion with the National Anthem. A modest charge of sixpence as admission to the ground was made at the gates, over £96 being taken in receipts. This amount, after expenses have been provided for, will be distributed equally between both bands. Trips About Invercargill. In addition to the entertainment pro-’ vided at the showgrounds, observation trips were arranged so that the visitors were enabled to see the Waihopai scenic and Seaward Bush reserves, the Tepid Baths, Queen’s Bark, the Gardens and other beautiful spots nearby. A number journeyed o.ut to Oreti Beach, where a demonstration by members of the Oreti Beach Surf and Life-saving Club attracted considerable interest. A special train in the afternoon conveyed some 200 Invercargill residents and northerners to Bluff, where a visit of inspection was paid to the sloop H.M.S. Laburnum. ’Die train arrived back in time to connect with the specials returning to Dunedin. These left Invercargill at 5.15 p.m., 5.45 p.m. and G. 5 p.m. respectively with their tired but, happy bands of holidaymakers.