BLUFF NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21717, 1 June 1932, Page 6

BLUFF NOTES

BAND CARNIVAL. (From Our Correspondent.) Monday evening saw the opening of the carnival arranged in the interests of the Bluff Watersiders’ Band, when the attraction of the night was a concert given by the Invercargill Civic Band under the conductorship of Mr A. R. Wills. The presence of three ships in port, all of which were working, militated against a large attendance of the public, but those who were present enjoyed an entertainment which was worth travelling far to hear. The band (which also played some items in the open air) was in capital form and in its numbers—as well as in solo items — the audience was given a sample of what first class instrumental music can be. The carnival was opened by his Worship the Mayor of Bluff (Mr T. F. Doyle). He was pleased, Mr Doyle said, to be present, because he had a great regard for the band and felt that it deserved support. The object of the carnival was to raise funds to dispose of the liability incurred through the purchase of new instruments. When these instruments were obtained the band was not financial enough to pay for them outright; but the Watersiders’ Union had advanced the money and as a result of the present effort he, the speaker, hoped and believed the debt would be liquidated. Personally he felt gratified at the progress made by the local band. He believed it would make still further progress and continue to be well supported; because the people of Bluff were notably loyal to local institutions, of which the Watersiders’ Band was not the least important. It was fine to know that a feeling of goodfellowship existed between the Civic Band and the Bluff Band, and this was’pleasing not only to the port’s bandsmen, but to the other residents as well. Mr Doyle concluded by voicing the opinion that the committee would be quite satisfied with the financial result when the carnival was concluded and by thanking the ladies for their untiring efforts over several weeks in preparing for the carnival. Mr W. T. Walker, secretary of the committee, on behalf of the band thanked Mr Wills and his associates of the Civic Band for their help in launching the carnival with a band concert. It was encouraging to know, he said, that the support of the Invercargill band was always readily given for the benefit of the Bluff Band and the town bandsmen had done great service in assisting on numerous occasions in the past. A vote of thanks to the Civic Band, moved by the speaker, was carried by acclamation. The stallholders were: Cafeteria, Mesdames R. Fowler, W. Miller, A. Breayley, G. Valentine, E. Bigwood; sweets, Mrs A. Valentine and M-iss C. Robins; cakes, Mrs E. Parsons and Mrs T. Finnerty; produce, Mesdames J. Dawson and H. M. Joss and Miss A. Fyfe; bathroom stall, Mesdames R. Allen and G. Diamond; fancy and art, Mesdames E. White, J. Cameron and E. M. Gillooley.- A sideshow was under the care of Mr G. Johnston.

The programme submitted by the Civic Band was a capital one and every item, met with sustained applause. Particularly popular was the music of the soloists, each of whom was well out of the ordinary in the playing of a chosen instrument. The programme was as follows: March, “Contemptibles,” overture, “Raymond,” intermezzo, “Happy Days,” contest selection, “Undine,” the Civic Band; cornet duet, “Besses of the Bam,” Messrs J. E. and R. B. Wills; saxophone solo, “La.Cinq Fontaine,” Mr N. Wilkes; trombone solo, “ Joywheel,” Mr A. Wills; comet solo, “Star of the North,” Mr J. Wills. Last night Mrs T. Stewart’s local revue party appeared, while to-night (Wednesday), the Invercargill Caledonian Pipe Band will provide the entertainment. The carnival concludes on Thursday night, when Mr R. Pettitt’s concert party will appear. On Monday night next the present effort will finish with a dance in the Town HalL