Bluff WATERSIDERS’ BAND

Southland Times, Issue 22956, 31 July 1936, Page 4

Bluff WATERSIDERS’ BAND

Social Gathering Mr W. K. Cameron presided over a good attendance of members when the Bluff Waterside Workers’ Band met to elect officers and spend a social hour. The election of officers resulted as follows: Drum-Major, Mr A. E. Budd; band-sergeant, Mr B. Crawford; corporal, Mr J. Walker; lance-corporal, Mr W. Fowler; librarians, Messrs P. Crawford and W. Couchman; social committee, Messrs T. Breayley, James Walker, P. Crawford, A. Fletcher. P. Batcheler, W. Couchman and B. Crawford. The opportunity was taken to make a presentation to Mr W. T. Walker, who recently retired from the secretaryship of the band, after many years of service. The chairman paid a tribute to Mr Walker, whose retirement, he said, meant a great loss to the band. He had done an immense amount of work in a manner that suggested it was a labour of love. In asking Mr Walker to accept a fountain pen and Eversharp pencil in a case, Mr Cameron said that the success of the band over several years had been largely due to Mr Walker’s efforts. Personally, he had never known a secretary to be more interested in his duties. He had never spared himself, in spite of the large amount of work involved. Messrs T. Fowler, P. Batcheler, P. Crawford, W. Couchman, J. Millar, M. West (on behalf of the Haere Tonu Party) and B. Parker (Bluff Pipe Band) and others also spoke. Mr Walker’s Thanks. Mr Walker said that he deeply appreciated the gift and expressions of goodwill. Anything he had done for the band had given him pleasure. He wished to point out to the younger members, in particular, that anything worth doing was worth doing well. That was the only way to success. He urged members to support their new secretary, Mr E. White, and concluded by thanking the Haere Tonu Party and Pipe Band for past co-operation. At the conclusion of Mr Walker’s remarks the gathering rose and sang "Old Faithful.” Other toasts honoured were: “Waterside Workers’ Union,” (proposed by Mr J. Millar and responded to by Messrs J. Cameron and T. Breayley); “Kindred Bands” (Mr W. T. Walker— Messrs B. Parker, Pipe Band, R. Hawke and P. Crawford, Civic Band); “Local Sports Bodies” (Mr C. W’inter —Messrs J. Cameron, bowls, W. Fowler, football, T. Heads, tennis, and L. Barnett, cricket); “Lady Supporters” (Mr W. K. Cameron—Mr W. T. Walker); “The Press” (Chairman —Mr T. Fowler) and “The Chairman” (Mr W. T. Walker). Items were contributed by the following:—Messrs M. West, James Walker, J. Walker, L. Barnett and W. K. Cameron (vocal numbers), H. Lightfoot and D. Robins (piano-accordion solos), R. Hawke, cornet and L. Barnett, trombone, solos and duets and W. T Walker, J. Walker, P. Batcheler, W. Couchman and E. White (elocutionary items and stories). SOCIAL AND DANCE A social and dance was held in the Willard Hall, Bluff, in aid of the Green Princess’s funds for the Queen Carnival. Music was supplied by Mr Norman Bradshaw (piano) and Mr T. West (violin), and extras were played by Mrs S. Harland and Miss V. Brown. Mr S. C. Harland was Master of Ceremonies. Mr J. H. Doyle offered the thanks of the committee to the members of the Maori Party for their assistance and to the musicians and supporters who had in any way made the evening so enjoyable. A statue dance was won by Miss Vincente Brown and Mr W. Doyle. Items were contributed by the following:—Miss Kitty Bradshaw and Mr Bruce Gilroy, vocal duet; Haere Tonu Party, action song; Miss V. Brown, tap dance; Juvenile Maori Party, canoe poi; Messrs M. West and B. Gilroy, duet; Shirley, Grace and Adrian Hart, Bluff Maori Party, hakas and double pois. GIFT AFTERNOON A gift afternoon was held in St. Matthew’s schoolroom for the gold princess. Afternoon tea was provided by the committee, and Mrs Waddell sen. donated prizes for the different competitions, which were won by Mrs J. Cameron (Invercargill), Miss K. Bradshaw and Mrs N. Haszard. Vocal items were contributed by Mrs J. Walker and Miss Kitty Bradshaw, Miss M. McKenzie acting as accompanist. In the evening Flag 500 was played, the prizes being awarded to Mrs R. V. Weir, Mrs E. Albertson, and Mr Ford.