CANTERBURY MARCHING COMPETITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7293, 4 January 1902, Page 6

CANTERBURY MARCHING COMPETITION.

The success of the LytteKon Marines was decidedly popular, andl. as I indicated " Ghristchurch bands would have to hustle to beat a seaport band." From the table of points already published, it is evident that under each; heading the "L.M.8." was high., and in, no quarter did! it show weakness. It merited the congratulations received, and this band must now be accorded a Mgh pkee amongst tbe bands of New Zealand. My remarks in reference to the , futile three months qualification have not found general acceptance, bub I cannot withdraw them. The results of the contest is alike creditable to the junior and senior bands, its effect® are good, and they should be of a lasting nature. It is quite possible the contest will be an annual function now. The committee — Messrs Duns and Pox (Engineers), Gower and Laming (Marines), Paget and Harkness (Lyttelton Old), Gunner and Terrill (Derry's privaite), and Duggan amd 1 Leaver (Elite) — worked well together. Amongst the names above are those whose connection with Canterbury band matters is familiar, men, who, I trust, will for years to come still take their part. Messrs Duns and Fox were on fche Jubilee Committee, and the rest compose a committee whose labours have earned the praise of all. Those gentlemen who judged the military part are to be credfibed with good work, as are also Mr T. Farrell (the supervisor), Mr A. Gund«rsen. (the Jhoai- , orary treasurer), and specially Mr E. Leaver (the honorary secretary). The lastj named official took quite a big band in the game, and got through his duties as only a caipable enthusiast could. It is only fair to mention! that Hawkes and Sons' instruments were used by the winning band, also to record iihe fact that the players are thoroughly 6aJtisfiad and proud of their set of the " Sonorous," a mate sure to earn I wide popularity in the colonies. LYTTELTON MARINE BAND. i (Conductor, Mr George E. Collins; secretary, Mr J. Gower.) The formation of this band was entirely owing to " a rift within (the lute " amongst members of the older band 1 , viz., Lyttelton Brass. On© section remained, another seceded 1 . The latter dtetermined 'to form another band) on new and independlent lines, and they rallied! round) a new standard. Efforts made early showed 1 tihat the> offspring was full of vigour and dash. The members were determined on having a band run on independent lines, so they hustled together amd! bought uniforms and! instru- ' nien'ts, and) were out before the public in a week. The Lyttelton Marine Band !has been most popular since its formation, and its nuembers have been determined on having the best bandi that Lyttelton (has ever ihad. In this they (have succeeded, thanks ' to 'the energy of Bandmaster G. E. Collins, who teas been th c right man in the right place. " The band! has an enthusiastic president in Mr W. Hannay (station-master), whilst its vice-presidents' — Messrs ; S. R. Webb, Colin Cook, N. C. Schumacher, F. , W. Anderson and J. H. Collins — aire ever ' ready and willing to ihelp tbe members

whenever occasion arises. The band's committee consists of Bandsmen J. Gower (sec), C. Falconer, W. J. Scholar, P. Huston, F. L:iming 'and F. Child's, and the bandmaster is also at all meetings. The date of its formation was September, 1898, and since that period its share of engagements andi general support proves its popularity. The members a.re proud of their band! and <bandmast€r, who treats them all alike, in fact like brothers. The band subscribes to various American journals, also to Smith's and Hawkes' (English journals). Th c music it plays is splendidly selected' and some really excellent programmes are given. The band 1 has a fine set of Hawkes' " Sonorous " instruments, which came t° hand last Easter. Rather a (remarkable event is that the Geelong Band, Victoria, is equipped with the first set of "Hajwkes"" e<ver sent to Australia, and this band' won the marching contest at Ballarat a month, or so ago. The Marine Band has the first set of "'Haiwkes' " ever sent to New Zealand and it also won tihe contest here. Like most other bands, the Lyttelton Marine 'has a debt, which it is anxious to wipe off, and intends to make a big effort during the coming year. Already its assets are £350 over liabilities, which is a splenddd record 1 for tihe short time it has been established. j Mr Gower, the secretary, kindly furnishes me Avith the following list of members. It shows a strong band, and its instrumentation is worthy of note:— Euphoniums, W. Sullivan and A. Martin; B flat bass, J. Loader, W. J. Schollar, F. Childs and 1 A. Hinds j E flat 'bass, G. Burnip and E. Smith ; horns, J. Gower, S. Burnip and T. Wells ; drums, C. Falconer, F. Page, J. Burnip and C. Cooper; clarionets, F. Huston, G. Huston and A. Huston ; piccolo, F. Laming ; soprano, E. Sullivan ; cornets, G. E. Collins, band-master, "' L. Oakes, J. Loader, jun., C. H. Sohm&dtt, P. Malone, P. Cole, G. Whitford and F. Wendleborne ; trombones,. J. Lindesay, M. C. Wearne and S. Grammer ; baritones, J. Koskella, H. Harbott aaod E. Wendlebbrne. Band-master Collins is nothing if ©ot practical, energetic and zealous fox his band's all-round advancement. From the date when I made Mr Collins's acquaintance— ihe was then playing E flat soprano in Stanmore (old) — he his never slowed down, but has ,ever been one of Canterbury's best bandsmen.' The- band has reaped its reward, and now ranks in a grade of which it may well be proud. I 'wish to thank Secretary Gower for bis favours, and; to the members of the above band I return their seasonable compliments. _____ _____