GERALDINE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20259, 7 November 1935, Page 3

GERALDINE

COUNCIL ENTERTAINS BANDSMEN

TRIBUTES TO CONDUCTOR In recognition of their success in winning the Canterbury Provincial Bands’ Association’s C grade shield at the recent championships at Amberley, members of the Geraldine District Band were entertained by the Geraldine Borough Council at a smoke social after the annual meeting. The Mayor (Mr B. R. Macdonald), president of the band, who occupied the chair, congratulated the conductor and the Band on their success, remarking that the Council had thought that the most fitting manner in which to honour the Band would be to entertain them at supper after the annual meeting. The honorary conductor (Mr E. Undrill) , who expressed thanks, said that they hoped to be able to maintain the Band’s present standard, and to retain the shield for a year or two. In referring to the Band’s performances Mr Undrill said that it had secured second place at the last three contests before winning the C grade shield at Amberley. The judge, Mr W. H. Osborne, of Timaru, who had been a fairly hard judge, had told him that the Geraldine Band had played very well at Amberley, and that the other band had been a long way behind. Mr Undrill remarked that he desired to express his gratitude to Mr C. W. McKenzie who had conveyed the band to Amberley gratuitously. Mr McKenzie had desired that the fact should be kept quiet, but it was really too good to remain unknown. Mr McKenzie was accorded musical honours. Mr Undrill propesed the toast of “The Band Supporters,” coupled with the names of Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., and Mr C. W. McKenzie. Mr Undrill said that the Band was greatly indebted to Messrs Burnett and McKenzie for their generous support. The Mayor had also taken an active interest in the affairs of the Band, also Miss E. Jimson and Messrs C. Jimson, G. R. Knibb and C. S. Davies who had willingly assisted at the band concerts throughout the year. Mr Burnett remarked that he had great pleasure in attending the function to celebrate the Band’s victory at Amberley. The Band was performing a most useful service in the community* and had put Geraldine on the map by holding the contest here two years ago. It had come back to Geraldine from Amberley with well-earned laurels. When he thought of the Geraldine Band he thought of Mr Undrill. He was the soul of enthusiasm and a great force in the Band. He hoped that the Band would continue to prosper, and he congratulated the Council on arranging the complimentary function. (Applause.) Mr Undrill made a suitable acknowledgment, referring to Mr Burnett’s generous donation to the Band’s uniform fund. Mr C. W. McKenzie, who also acknowledged the toast, paid a warm tribute to the conductor, remarking that a man who could hold 25 men together was little short of a marvel. Anything he could do in the future for the Band he would be only too pleased to do. Other toasts honoured were “The Borough Council,” proposed by Mr C. C. Knight and responded to by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. R. Lack) and “The Newspapers,” proposed by Mr E. O. Schnack and responded to by Mr M. Baker. A presentation of a drummer’s medal was made to Mr E. L. Bright, who scored the highest points at the Amberley contest. Mr Bright suitably replied. Mr E. H. Logan, a drummer in the original Geraldine Volunteer Band, said that the band had been formed 50 years ago. He related several amusing experiences that had occurred in the past, remarking that the members of the band had signed a promissory note for £7O or £BO for their original instruments. They had had no money, but they had eventually raised enough to meet the promissory note. Mr Logan congratulated Mr Undrill on the manner in which he had brought the band on. The band was not only a credit to him, but it was also a benefit to the town as a whole. (Applause.) The Mayor intimated that he had been asked on behalf of a well-known ratepayer to make the presentation of an occasional table to Mr Undrill in appreciation of the work Mr Undrill was doing for the Band. During the evening the following items were greatly enjoyed: Songs, “The Changing of the Guard” and “Captain Mac,” Mr C. Gimson “The Piper” and “Widdicombe Fair,” Mr E, O. Schnack; “Mother o’ Mine” and “The Desert Song,” Mr C. C. Knight; “The Floral Dance” and “Up From Somerset,” Mr G. R. Knibb; cornet solos, “Mount Dawn” and “Lucille,” Mr C. Ashby; haka, Mr E. L. Bright. The accompaniments were provided by Messrs C. S. Davies and E. O. Schnack. CALF REARING COMPETITION Ten pupils of the Geraldine District High School have entered for the calf rearing competition arranged by the Canterbury Education Board. Through the generous co-operation of farmers of the Orari, Milford and Clandeboye districts, it has been made possible to supply each boy with a pedigree heifer calf, nine being Holsteins and one a Jersey. The interest of the farmers referred to is very much appreciated by the school.

RE-SURFACING BOROUGH HIGHWAY The matter of re-surfacing the borough portion of the Main South Highway was discussed at a special meeting of the Geraldine Borough Council, when the Mayor (Mr B. R. Macdonald) occupied the chair. On the motion of Crs. J. R. Lack and Z. O. Sherratt the following resolution was carried unanimously: “That this Council accepts the proposal of the District Engineer that the re-surfac-ing of the main highway in the Geraldine Borough be treated as an extension of the Geraldine County Council contract with Messrs Sanders and Sons, Ltd., and that payments in respect of same be advanced by the County Council to the contractors, and refunded by this Council as soon as the subsidies are received from the Main Highways Board.” It is probable that the work will be proceeded with an an early date.

VITAL STATISTICS The vital statistics for the month of October are (figures for the corresponding period last year being given in parentheses: Births, male 4 (0), female 2 (5), total 6 (5); deaths, male 2 (0), female 0 (0), total 2 (0); marriages, 5 (2).

PERSONAL Miss Joan Lapthorn has returned from a holiday in Christchurch. Mr D. H. Williams is visiting Otago and Southland. Miss I. Henry has left on a visit

to Invercargill. Miss G. Humm is spending a holiday in Dunedin. Mr and Mrs W. S. Parr have left on a holiday visit to Dunedin. Mr L. S. R. King, postmaster, is on annual leave. During his absence Mr H. A. Robertson is acting-postmaster. At a meeting of the committee of the Geraldine Horticultural Society motions of sympathy were extended to the relatives of the late Mrs G. H. Patrick and Mrs E. S. Stubbs, and with the Rev. W. J. Couling and Mrs Couling in the death of their son. Procters, the Premier Opticians, Christchurch, will be making their next professional visit to Geraldine, on Wednesday, December 18, when they may be consulted on all defects of eyesight at the Crown Hotel. Appointments can now be made by ringing Mr TVrrvrTMK TVillinmc: phpmiqf ’nVinno