MUNICIPAL BAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, Issue 17693, 6 July 1927, Page 9

MUNICIPAL BAND.

NEW CONDUCTOR WELCOMED. The newly-appointed conductor of the Timaru Municipal Band (Mr W. H. Osborne), was given a fitting welcome to Timaru by his band members last evening. The function, which was a most pleasant one, was held in the bandroom, Mill Street, and was largely attended by members of the band and by representatives of |the Timaru Borough Council. The Mayor (Mr G. J. Wallace), presided. Apologies were -received from Messrs H. Elgin (ex-Drum-Major), A. E. Lawrence, J. Mcßae, T. R. Mackay, T. P. Crowe, and B. Brogan. The chairman expressed thanks to the band for the invitation extended to .councillors and himself. He had always taken-a keen interest in the - band,as' lie considered it was .essential.for every town to have such a musical ( Combination. In Timaru especially, when the number of visitors was considered, music for their entertainment was essential. It was fitting that the band should have a.social gathering to start off on the hew, road, and he hoped that the bandsmen would rally round their , conductor and promote ■the feeling of good fellowship which should exist a,mongst such a body of men. (Applause.) , Mr H. J. Clark proposed the toast of “The" Timaru Borough Council,” and ,referped. to. the Mayor and councillors as being heroes to spend so much 'of'their .time in the public interest, when .they could quite well be at their home enjoying the comforts of their firesides. They came in for a great deal of public criticism, but this they had come through very well./ The present Mayor (Mr G. J. Wallace) w as a nian of sound judgment, and he hoped that he would come through his third term with, well-deherved honours. Mr Clark read a letter from the Greymouth bands approving of the step taken by, the Borough Council in subsidising the /Timaru band, and expressing the hope that the Greymouth Council would emulate Timaru’s example, j (Applause.) • The chairman,: in reply, thanked Mr Clark/for his complimentary remarks about the Borough Council, and said that, although public life .was not the best of occupations, they realised that ‘ it was their duty to do anything in'the .interests of the town. ’ Referring to the Municipal Band, Mr Wallace said he pleased to see the Council stand by the band in ! such a way. The subsidy of £4OO had been unanimously granted, as all _ councillors realised that setting the band on its feet would be to the ultimate benefit of the town. He was sure 'that if the band rallied together the Council would always stand by, them. /Councillor T. W. Satterthwaite said he appreciated Mr Clark’s remarks with" reference to the Council, and he also appreciated the / truth in what Mr Clark had said ' about the kudos they received for their efforts, He quite satisfied 1 »,that if the band stood behind their ’ conductor, they could always depend j upon the support of the Council. 'I (Applause.) /, Councillor P. C. Vinnell endorsed ' the coalman's remarks, and said that, although there might at times •: be a variance of opinion on the Coun- ' ell, he was certain that councillors ... had the interest of Timaru at heart. -There had been a considerable "amount of controversy in the Press .:iwith regard to the band, but. anonymous letters were, not worth cont, sidering. He hoped the band would '/ rally afound Mr Osborne, and by perseverance and harmony attain a similar record to those who were held so high in the public esteem before. ; (Hear, hear.) / / Councillor F. /B. Hawkey said the /Council had taken a progressive step ../in subsidising the band, and he hopped that other Councils would take a .'similar step. The best way to show ./thejr appreciation for what had been . done was for, the band to set about .‘to retain the high honours bestowed /upon it in the past. (Applause.) Councillor H. A. Innes-Jones en- . dorsed the remarks of the previous /.. speakers, and said he saw no reason /; f now why the band should not proZ/'gfess beyond expectations. He //trusted that the band would hold to- / gether and by following the instruc’"Jtlons of their able conductor, again attain the premiership. (Applause.) Councillor H. D. Preston referred to the progress made by bands in other centres, and said that with ambition as their motto, the Timaru Band should ®be outstanding. The new conductorwas a man of high reputation, and if the men showed ambition, a first-class standard of music would result. (Applause.) The chairman said they' came to the most important part of the pro- ' gramme, and that was the welcome to Mr Osborne. He was sure that Mr - * '"Osborne, if well, supported, would -bring the band up to a very high “Standard. Mr Osborne came to Ti- ' maru with an enviable reputation, And if the band produced the har-7-'1 mhny,in music and harmony amongst ’ ,: thimßelves, they would in time re/’•stablish the very high .record set in - past. He referred at some length to the early-history, of the limaru :i ßdnd—to the many conductors, and ■Hhe many names it had gone under. !i F6r special mention he singled out ,r the name of Bandmaster. A. Schnack, Vfinder whose baton the band had ' Won five out of 14 prizes to its cre- / dft. He could visualise a wonderful future foi' the band under Mr ■’deborne’s control, and said success -was assured. (Applahse.) // .Councillor Vinnell said it gave him 'great pleasure to join in the welcome to Mr Osborne. As a member of

the Control Board, he would do his utmost to promote the interests of tlie members. The band was extremely fortunate in securing a man of .Mr Osborne’s calibre, and he was sure that if the public, and bandsmen assisted him, the time would not be far distant when Timaru would have the same record as Ashburton Band. The Council were, unanimous in the band’s selection - of their conductor, and he was sure the choice met with universal approval. (Applause.) Mr J. P. Lamb (Caroline Bay Association), extended a hearty welcome to Mr Osborne on behalf of his Association. They had a fine band, and he was sure the Association wherever possible would give their moral and monetary support. Music on the Bay was a great asset, and for the entertainment of visitors, to Timaru was invaluable. (Applause.) Bandmaster Hawkey, Salvation Army, referred to his early associations with the Timaru Band, which he said had been of a very pleasant nature. He wished the hand every success,'and was sure that under the. conductorship of Mr Osborne the band would-flourish.' Mr McLeod (Pipe Band) congratulated the Municipal Band on the selection of the conductor. On behalf of the. Pipe Band he extended to Mr Osborne a hearty welcome to the town. Mr H. Moore added his quota of appreciation of Mr Osborne’s sterling qualities. He considered that the Timaru Municipal Band was very fortunate in its conductor, as from his personal knowledge, Mr Osborne was the right man. On behalf of the Timaru Savage Club he wished Mr Osborne every success. , Mr Osborne was greeted with applause on rising to reply. He was greatly encouraged, he said, by the remarks of the speakers, and he fully realised that he had something to live up to. He wduld do his utmost to make Timaru band a band, and he was sure that if he received good support, as lie was sure he would do, the band would soon be on its feet again. He had already warmed up to his work In Timaru, and with the fine traditions of the Tipiaru Band/ it would be an incentive for the hand as a body to uphold these to the best of their ability. . It was fortunate that the band had the support of the Borough Council, and, he was sure that the step. taken would he mere than justified. Tiniaru had a beautiful Bay and town, and music was desired to still improve the conditions. He referred in complimentary terms of the able work of Mr A. Schnack, and of the success achieved under his baton. There should be . ample scope in Timaru for a good band, and Ids efforts would be anything but restrained to bring Timaru somewhere near the top again. He thanked one and all for their kindly references, and assured them that he would do his best in the interests of the band. (Applause.) In proposing the toast, of “The Timaru Municipal Band,” Councillor Satterthwaite referred to the early history of the band, and said in the past they had always been very successful and a considerable asset to the town. At present the prospects of the band looked very bright, and the fact that Mr Osborne anticipated the launching of a junior band, would -also be a very progressive step.. He wished the Timaru Municipal Band every success. (Applause.) Mr J. McKennah, In reply, said there was no one more pleased than he was that Mr Osborne had been appointed to the position of conductor. They had a terrible job to pull Mr Osborne away from Ashburton; hut that they succeeded was in the best interests .of Timaru. He acknowledged the support of the Timaru Borough Council, and said that such a step would never be regretted. The future for the hand looked very rosy, and with the provision of a junior band Timaru’s rotundas would soon be used again. He referred at length to Mr Osborne’s capabilities, and.said he was sure that the band would justify the confidence placed in it by the Timaru Borough, Council. (Applause.) Mr W. J. Ruston proposed the toast of “Fraternal Bands,” and referred to the amicable relations that existed between the several bands In Timaru. The toast was responded to by Messrs Hawkey (Salvation Army), McLeod (Pipe Band), and G. A. Booth (Cadet/Band). During the evening proceedings were enlivened with selections by the band, and items by the following;— Messrs W. Ramsay,* E. Osborne, G. Buckley, and C. .Porter, the accompaniments being played by Mr C. Slade.