BAND GOSSIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5056, 15 September 1894, Page 6

BAND GOSSIP.

FROM PAR AND WEAK.

[by "tomtom."] Nelson Gnrrison is now added --to the number of affiliated faaiida. Efforts are being made to form a band in the rising township of Belfaat. Ninofy-four io the total number of braes bands known to be in the colony. Twentjeitjht bands have a membership o£ over thirty-five, twenty-four of over eixteem members ; the balance range from six or seven up. The approximate number of members exceeds 1860, which, for so young a colony, is remarkable. Through the kindness of readers of the Canterbury Times and Star, the addresses of secretaries, and number of members are known to the writer, and forma an interesting record. Bight away north, above Auckland, down south, inland, on the West Coast, the interior of the North Island, in and around the cities, the number of bands seem incredible. Even with the above seemingly large record we ara a miahty long way behind one county in England. They could double our numbers, then beat us bad on all points } bnt, there, the name is sufficient .to aaeounfc for that — Yorkshire. If bandsmen desire to become more popular they should inaugurate a "Hospital Sunday." Let them fix a date for a church parade throughout the land, the inevitable collection to be handed to the fcospitala of the respective districts. Bandexnen have an opportunity to benefit such institutions, and in so doing wouldonly follow en the lines laid down by the bandsmen o£ England and Wales. There they have a special date, May 5, for this laudable and practical fixture. Special marches are used in England, and the same are easily obtainable here. All that is required is a start. The Biverton Bandsmen recently struck A streak of ill-luck. They vr era burnt out j lost all their music, most of their instruments, all uninsured, and they are in dire straits. It ia their intention to sail in again. In the meantime they will appeal to their more fortunate comrades, and would ce glad of assistance in their task. They were just getting along splendidly ■but their misfortune has put them right behind. . The coming summer should mark a new era in the history of Christohurch bands. The shabby, old rotunda is now being removed to the triangular plot of ground on the Market Eeaerve. " Reminiscences of the Rotunda" will never be pleasant to any. The history is such that it might well be forgotten, but as the new snrrouadingß Trill be of a particularly attractive style, ifc is just possible that our city bunds -will use it at least once a week, and place Chriotohurch on a par with Invercargrill and Napier. The opening night will h& one at which the Fire Brigade -will assist, the Gas Company likewise, and, of course, the city bands will combine and make the opening a grand entertainment for citizens. I hope bandsmen will not again take up a oolleotion for themselves, but for BOtoo charity or special oase. The collections that were taken up some little time ago were not examples of lavish liberality —to wit (on one special occasion), 7 shillings, 1 half-crown, 1 florin, 27 threepenny pieces, 59 pennies, 33 halfpennies, 18 buttons, a few conversation lollies, and a variety of tin labels. The total amounting to JBI 4s 6£d. That partioular night there waie foar bands out and a -willing, energetic and persistent team of the Fire Brigade, who Acted as collectors— all for the aforesaid dimes. It was disheartening, and certainly not complimentary to the bandsmen — nor to the pnblio assembled on Latimer Square. " Sydenham Band is leading off by entertaining the hospital patients with music. Last Sunday the members played a selected programme, and they will, I hope, be followed by the other bands. Sydenham Band has always possessed a characteristic wanting in many other bands, viz., enterprise. Its early efforts to meet the large expanse of a run to Inveroargill meant much work and management. The work of committees of both sexes, the kind sasdatance of the. Garrieon, Stanmore, and Engineers bands, and the support of -the public, have not been commensurate to the objscts for which the bazaar was held. No news regarding Stan more or Garrison ; no news from the Railway Department; no news from the Premiee-r-eircumßtances which " Tomtom " regrets but declines to comment on— at present. Where is that quaintly arranged music? It is supposed to be neither operatic nor sacred, but its noc being to hand is serious and exceedingly vexing to the committee aud long-suffering bandsmen. Tho esteemed ex-solo euphonium of our Garrison Band, Mr Chapman, has struck out in a new line— a drum and fife band. Mr Chapman is nothing if not practical, and his band of fifers are a credit to him and the Orescent Road Temperance Society. On Thursday night they left town for Brighton. Had the fact been made public no doubt many would have availed theinselves.of the trip down, but such was not the case.. The Crescent Road Band is young yeb, but under the leadership of Mr Chapman we can look for ib on the sew rotunda during the summer mouths, and we-wish it success. Another Temperance band at F&panui. "Kettledrum" sends me the following tetter, dated Sopt. 11:—" Tho Papanui Tetnperaace Band (Bandmaster F. Hopkins) performed here in our Town Ball this evening. Though the band, numerically, is small, amongst; them are players who vet e lately members of the Christchuroh Temperance Band and the defunct Papanui Band. * ' • * Our resident bandmaster, Mr F, Hopkins, is one who devotes much time to instructing the members, and in such a short space has done exceedingly ■well" with the material. As our little band was only formed on July 1 of this year, Mr Hopkins is to be complimented on its condition. Mr Lake, our secretary, ia an old bandsman, and is a good worker for all of us." The Engineers' Band will again be to the front in the Military Concert, which is to be rfpsated in aid of the unemployed. " Flying Dutchman" haß kindly granfcad me space for finishing my hiatory of the Bands Association iu the Canterbury Times, and as I have been requested to publish a fall list of the Association Contests— eash band, name of selection, positions gained, &o. — I will, if possible, publish the eamo in next week's issue of your contemporary. Owing to tho slow "ocean tramp" Mabinapua being chartered to bring down the English mail, I regret not being able .to give readara the latest from England, bub will perhaps have it in time for Monday's issue. The Inveroargill Contest Committee is very anxious that each of our local bands should contest, and the past example of tho 1.G.8. and Gnards -ahould decide our fellows to go. 1 have raoeived the following : To " Tomtom." " Sir,— Tha bootmakers and. others have aided the unemployed fund, and I •would aßk you to mention in your Gossip the duty of bandsmen to that truly unfortunate body, the unemployed. If you think the Christohurch bands would assist, the editor of the Star would, I am quite eure, support; suoh a becoming step on the part of our bands.— l am, &0,, LokgHANDKED SHQVHIi." Tho oppuiug oi the Napier rotunda was a meat brilliant affair. Old Christchurch -was well represented, and when our bojs open the structure in the Market Square, let each and all come forth and inako it a fitting display on tho patt of the bands. Sale o? Woke. — Tho laiiies oi! the ' Baptist TabernacU) have been working very hard during the paat few months in connection with the eale of work to be held next week, and have succeeded in getting j together a splendid assortment of useful j and fancy articles. The object of the sale is to clear off the balanca of the floating " debt on the general Cuad before tho arrival of the Eiv J..7. Dokc, tbe n*>w mi a it- ] fcer, who ia ez'jecUd horn En«jla:id early aext month. A oako competition ie to be leldjn, conjunction with the sale.