WELCOME HOME.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12161, 1 March 1909, Page 8

WELCOME HOME.

The Wanganui Garrison Band return ed home on Saturday evening, when they > were given an enthusiastic welcome by a very large otnimber of their fellow citizens. The'CJity and Salvation Army Bands, playing selections alternately, marched ta the railway station, where a large crowd had assembled. On making their appearance on -the quay the victorious bandsmen were loudly, cheered. A procession, headed .by the bands above mentioned, was then formed, and the band escorted to the JDrill Hall, where short speeches were delivered by Mr J. T. Hogan, M.P., .and Mr C. E. Mackay (the Mayor), who welcomed the Band home and congratu-lated-them upon the success they had .achieved a t Hasting. In the absence of the Conductor (Mr Wade), who ad '.gone on to Invercargill to nieet his wife, Mr John Trussoll returned thanks on behalf of the band. The champions iihen played a selection, more cheers were given, and the function terminated. ■ . ;

The "Dominion," speaking of the JBand Contest, says:—Much was expected of Wanganui, as this is their first contest under their new conductor (Mr A. Wade), and it did not take long to convince the most sceptical that the band was playing as it had never play•ed before. It was a brilliant and magnificent performance, and was only marred by a few split notes, else, the judge said, he -would have given, them the possible. The weakness of the band was the cornets, and the band sorely missed that old champion, George Buckley. It did not seem like the Wan.ganui Garrison without him being in it, and his loss to the band must be a mat- - ter for regret. To comment on the playing would be to paint the lily white, but one caiinot help passing a few remarks on Mr Wade. He has .come to New Zealand with a big reputation, and he sustained it last night. The Wanganui Band of last night is not the Wanganui of former years, and this is entirely due to Mr Wade. The band has lost that sombre drawnout style, and while retaining its organ-like qualities, it is brighter nnd brilliant—in short, it is being trained on the best English principles, and last night one <;ould fancy it was the famous " Besses" lie wa3 listening to.