GUARDS’ BAND

Southland Times, Issue 22457, 18 December 1934, Page 7

GUARDS’ BAND

WELCOME BY MAORIS. PRESENTATION BY RATANAITES. (Per United Press Association.) Marton, December 17. A spectacle unprecedented in the Dominion tour of the Grenadier Guards’ Band took place at a civic welcome on Sunday when Major Miller was presented by Paikea, secretary to T. W. Ratana, with a handsome Maori mat as a token of welcome and loyalty to the Crown of 40,000 Maoris comprising the Ratana movement. . Amid scenes of enthusiasm Major Miller permitted the mat to be draped over his uniform and reciprocated by calling for cheers for Marton and the Maoris and specially requested the Ratana Band to march with the Grenadires to the park, where a crowd estimated at 3500 assembled. GREAT EXCITEMENT WELCOME AT WELLINGTON. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, December 17. The Grenadier Guards Band arrived at Thorndon at 12.17 from Palmerston North. The already filled city, owing to the Duke of Gloucester’s laying on the foundation stone of the new railway station, saw a huge crowd assembled along the band’s route to the Town Hall, where a civic reception was accorded them. The band played its way through the streets to the accompaniment of great cheering and excitement en route. They halted at the War Memorial to lay a wreath. The First Battalion Band accompanied the Grenadiers on the march from Thorndon to the War Memorial, where they were joined by the Port Nicholson Silver Band. . On reaching the Town Hall the bands formed up in front of the dais on which were the Mayor, Mr T. Hislop, the Deputy Mayor, Mr W. H. Bennett, president of the New Zealand Bands’ Association, Mr E. Palliser and the president of the Wellington Provincial Bands’ Association, Mr H. B. Burdekln. Major Miller replied to the Mayors welcome and specially thanked the police for their splendid handling of the crowd which had given the band a chance to make a show.