MASSED BANDS’ DISPLAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 295, 15 December 1941, Page 4

MASSED BANDS’ DISPLAY

WARD RECOGNITION FUND POOR PUBLIC RESPONSE - Three brass bands and the Wanganui Highland Pipe Band took part in a combined demonstration on Cook s i Gardens yesterday afternoon in sup- • port of the Sergeant-Pilot J. A ■ Ward. V.C.. Recognition Fund. The ■weather was perfect and a splendio I programme of appropriate music was arranged, out the attendance was disappointingly small. A feature of the programme was the playing of the massed brass bands, and a marching display in which bandsmen were associated. They marched round the oval playing "Holyrood" and giving a demonstration warmly appreciated by the punlie. The Highland Pipe Band's programme included a quick-step, Scot- . tish selections and the hymn "Abide ! With Me Al the conclusion of the demonstration a prayer was offered by the Rev E. Nicholls. C.F.. minister in charge of the Ingestre Street Baptist Church, of which Sergeant-Pilot Ward was a . member. Cr. E. W. Merewether. chairman of the sub-committer set up by the Wanganui City Council to sponsor the ! fund, expressed regret at the small attendance, but said the wonderful ■ effort of the four bands was greatly appreciated. It was typical of WanI ganui bands that they always came I forward voluntarily and willingly, ■ without any thought of remuneration. ' Cr. Merewether also expressed his thanks to those who had assisted with I the gates. ‘ Considering that the population of i Wanganui was 27.000 the attendance i was very small. Cr. Merewether I added. "We have got to get this 1 fund going and give this boy proper ■ recognition," he said. The town I c lerk. Mr. C. R. White, had put a tremendous ameunt of work into arranging the demonstration and his ' help was also appreciated. : Addressing the puolic on behalf of the Mayor, Hon. W. J. Rogers, M.L.C., the Deputy-Mayor, Mr. J. J. Scott, thanked the bands and those who had 1 attended and expressed regret at the | smallness of the attendance on a I memorable occasion.

The massed bands, under the baton of Lieut. E. Thomas, were heard in the New Zealand National Anthem. "God Defend New Zealand.” as we.: as in a selection ( 'March Mililaire 'i. Under the conductorship of Mr. R. Frances. L.R.S.M., the massed bands played the Christmas carols “Christmas Awake.” "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Come All Ye Faithful."

The lirst Batalion Wellington West Coast Regimental Band played the hymn "Gracious." the Waltz “Bless 'Em All." and the march "Cycle Parade. The Queen Alexandra (2nd. W.W.C.I Mounted Rilles Band was heard in the hymn "Valerie." the cornet duet Sanciy and Jock, and the march. "March of the Herald.” 'me Wanganui Garrison Band's contribution was the hymn "New Rochdale, the euphonium solo Gipsy's Warning and the waltz "Thoughts.” Before offering a prayer, tile Rev. E. Nicholls quoted a poem from the book entitled The First Hour.” by the Rev. A. T. Thompson at present convalescent in Wanganui. The poem is based on a sentence taken from one of Mr. Winston Churchill's famous speeches, and its opening lines are: Great Britain! Never was thy heart more sound. In Crisis is thy secret ever found. "I considered the poem so beautilui that I had to read it." said Mr. [Nicholls.