POPULAR ROTARIAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 450, 16 December 1930, Page 11

POPULAR ROTARIAN

BANDSMAN AND CITIZEN CAPTAIN BUCKLEY FAREWELLED As he leaves for Auckland on Saturday to take up the position of conductor of the Municipal Band, Captain G. Buckley was farewelled by his fellow members of the Wanganui Rotary Club yesterday. It was Ladies’ Day with the Club, and Mrs Buckley was present. Mr John Coull said that it was with genuine regret that no, bad read of Captain Buckley’s important appointment. He did not chink that the people of Wanganui yet realised how serious a loss it was going to be for Wanganui. He was afraid that Wanganui was losing too many in that way. He said that Captain Buckley did not expect to be successful when he was asked to put in his application. He wag inclined to withdraw it when he saw the others that had applied, from as far away as England. Rotarians did not congratulate him with any gladness in their hearts at all. They congratulated him on his undoubted merit as a bandsman. As a conductor he was outstanding in the Dominion. As a citizen he was one of the finest. Every member of the club, and every citizen in Wanganui regretcd losing Captain Buckley, as a bandsman, as a citizen and as a friend. In making a feeling reply, Captain Buckley said that he knew how they felt. He felt the same himself. He had put in his application with the feeling that it would not be successfull. He had not realised that he was appointed until it came to leaving Wanganui, and had not until then realised what a sad thing it was to be leaving Wanganui. The position he was taking over in Auckland was perhaps the biggest in A.ustralasia. When it had come to saying good-bye he was realising what true friendship was. His duty as a.citizen had not been outstanding. He had tried to live as a citizen should. His stay in Wanganui had been a great pleasure. His association with the Rotary Club had been one of the most pleasing. Although there were very fine people in Auckland, he could not expect to replace such friends as he

had had in Wanganui. In Auckland he would have in beautiful music the finest, that life could give him. He would start next Monday, and would try to do his very best. When he realised that he was leaving his musical friends of Wanganui, it was a very sad thing. The members of the band had been as loyal as it was possible to me. Parting with them was hard. On behalf of Mrs Buckley and himself he thanked them for their best wishes.

PROPOSED PRESENTATION

ARRANGEMENTS IN HAND. At a meeting of citizens held on Saturday morning it was decided to appoint a committee consisting of the Mayor (Mr W. J. Rogers), and Messrs F. Symes, E. W. F. Gohns, L. Cohen, F. C Atkinson, and A. R. Donaldson, to organise a public testimonial to Captain G. L. Buckley, who is leaving Wanganui on Sunday next to take up the position of conductor of the Auckland Municipal Band. Captain Buckley has at all times taken an active part in t.ny function having for its objective the advancement of Wanganui, and his services to tho various musical organisations of the. city have always been freely given. It is felt that the citizens should have an opportunity of showing their appreciation of Captain Buckley’s services. As the time at the disposal of the committee is very short, those who desire to contribute arc asked to forward their donations to Mr A. R. Donaldson, Box 140, Wanganui, as early as possible. The Mayor will take the chair at the presentation, which it is hoped to arrange for Saturday next at a time to be arranged later.

BAND AMALGAMATION?

CONSIDERATION EXPECTED. With the appointment of Captain Buckley to his new position in Auckland, a difficult situation has been created in Wanganui. That difficulty is more apparent with the Queen Alexandra’s Own Band. The Captain’s departure severs his connection with that body. It has been suggested that the time is now opportune for the amalgamation of the two bands, the. Garrison and the Queen Alexandra’s Own. If that course were followed, with a competent conductor then Wanganui would boast of a band that should be second to none in the Dominion. It is understood that, the suggestion will be the subject of serious consideration in the, near future.