AN HISTORIC BUGLE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 59, Issue 4219, 4 December 1939, Page 5

AN HISTORIC BUGLE

USED IN TARANAKI WAR. PRESENTED TO TE AWAMUTU BAND. During the informal function at Kihikihi yesterday morning, when a section of the Divisional Cavalry were being entertained, opportunity was taken to present to the Te Awamutu Muncipal Band, an old bugle that was used by the British Troops during the Maori War in Taranaki. Mrs Mclndoe, in handing the instrument to Bandmaster A. Smith, hoped that it would be of use. The bugle had been in her family for very many years, and its notes had been heard in very strenuous times. Mi- Smith, in accepting the instrument, thanked Mrs Mclndoe for her thoughtfulness and undertook, on behalf of his Band, the safe custody of such an historic and valuable relic of New Zealand’s early history. It wpuld be the intention of the Band to retain the bugle for purely military functions in which it would be necessary, funerals of old soldiers, and Anzac Day services, and in any gathering where the “Last Post” was required to be sounded. The instrument is of outstanding tone and Mr Smith doubted very much whether another bugle in the country had such a beautiful tone. The secretary of the Te Awamutu R.S.A. undertook to have the bugle suitably engraved.