PACKED MEETING AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12749, 22 March 1910, Page 3

PACKED MEETING AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.

EULOGISTIC SPEECHES. Last night a public meeting ealled--by the Mayor, was held in the Uty Council Chamber to welcome) thegarrison Band on Uheir -return from WanEanui, and to congratulate the bandsmen, individually and collectively on the success achieved at the recent North Island Brass Bands Association's contest. The. Mayor presided, and the building was packed, among thosa present being Ors Adams; Turner Field, -Neale, McConchio, and Pettit, and representative citizens. The Mayor said it gave him great pleasure to extend. a hearty welcome to the Nelson Garrison Band, which had worthily represenkfl Nelson at WanganuL Contests of that kind, he said, had a tendency to bring out all that was good in the human race. 'The band had won the JB. grade contest against eleven bands, beaten all corners in thet quartette' competition, and carried off many of the solo compete tions. (Loud applause.) This, he said, reflected great credit on the bandmaster and the bandsmen as well. He congratulated the band on thedr all round success, and trusted that their victories would stimulate the band to greater efforts in iihe future. (Applause.) ■"..'■'■. .. Lieutenant-Colonel Joyce, Officer commanding the) District, expressed his pleasure at seeing such a large attendance to welcome the band, whjcli was part of the Nelson Garrison. The ban d worked under difficulties , and he hoped that next year they would win the A. grade. The band, he, pointed, out, had other duties to do besides play music, and if it came to a "case !of defending- 'New Zealand to-morrow, they would find the bandsmen taking part. He concluded by congratulating the band on behalf of the Nelson- volunteer district. Mr T. A. Field (President of the Chamber of Commerce) said it was a far cry from commerce to music. Ho knew very little about music personally, but one thing he noticed was that the judge had Set himself go and had spoken highly of the band's performance. He hoped thei band would not rest on its laurels, but would go on striving : to succeed until it became one of the premier bands of the Dominion. Lieutenant-Colonel Harkiiess congratulated theiband on- the success they had achieved and the honour they had brought to the city and district. It was the first time the band as a whole had won distinction, and he hoped it : would be) the forerunner ot other suefcesses. . - Mr A. TMMigginmty (Chairman of the Education Board) said it had been their fortune on many occasions to welcome back victors to- Nelson, and he mentioned the .success of marksmen from this district in the past, He expressed his high appreciation of the noble work done by the band at the Wanganui contest, and said that ne was thankful to have had the opportunity of welcoming back the band. These men had spent many long and weary hours in preparation, and while doing so they were not getting into mischief. (Laughter.) He-had travelled with the band from Wellington to Nelson, and coukl say .that their her haviour was .most . creditable, lo Bandmaster Berryman he extended his congratulations, and he urged t them to proceed in their efforts to aim for greater success— they could not command it. •",-,,. f ■ The Mayor .then read a, letter from the Nelson Citizens'. Bapd congratulating, the Garrison Band arid the soloists on their success, 'and regretting jUiat circumstances did not permit, of t|ieir ; according 1 them a personal .welcome (Applause.) ...,, ' : ; . . •.:■.. .-. Captain Stiles added. his congratulations to those of "the other speakers,. and hoped the public would support the band by additional, subscriptions. Horr Lem'mer agreed with the opin- 1 ions voiced by tlie previous speakers. He said that .although a band might leave a town. a good alli-round^ band, and win a first prize, it did no.t always follow that the hand .would keep together. This was a charge on the public of Nelson ; ,to s keep^ a good band required funds- r fujifls...to. .get, iiistru-. ments, to keep uniforms, to hire practice rooms, etc. He thought the Nelson people should show their. practical sympathy with the band by opening. a subscription list. (Loud applausei.) The Mayor said that it was not , in order. -.-':'. . .. : — -, Hew Lemmer, in concluding, congratulated the band on .their -.we'll deserved success, and hoped that - the band would. rem.ajn ..intact and hot lose any of its. g<*)d players. It was then resolved that the Town Clerk open, a subscription list in aid of the band's rfunds. Bandmaster Berryman said that he had heard with much pleasure their expressions of appreciation and congratulation on :the, band's success ..at Wanganui. The band-.had: workedjiard to achieve/ success, „ ,and he thought they would agree i that, the band had attained their ,object,> ,T.ho band had competed with good . hands, k and the soloists had scored against players in both. Ai and B. grades. In the Garrison Band, they had good material, and. it Vas tile making of a first class combination. If thet people would help them they. could perhaps achieve success in a higher grade, but they must have the support of the public in order to keep the. band together. He acknowledged the support he had received from the band, and said that their conduct throughout had been most exemplary. It had not been a holiday trip, for during the . contest the men had worked hard day. and; night. He again expressed his thanks, for the kind weicomei and congratulatory remarks. Cheers were then given for Bandmaster Berryman anil the band.' At the .call of Drum-rMajor Guy cheers were given for the Mayor and citizens of. Nelson, and after a. tune by the band the gathering terminate cd. "'.■...'.•• • is .announced, in another column inatrsubsoriptions towards the band's funds ■» will be received at the Town Clerk's office. .