WANGANUI SAVAGE CLUB

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 October 1947, Page 6

WANGANUI SAVAGE CLUB

END-CF-SF ASON “KORERO” AND SMOKE CONCERT

The final “korero” o£ the Wanganui Savage Club lor the 1947 season was held on Saturday night. "Rangatiia" A. J. W. Hodder installed a member ot the High Council, Savage D. Buck, as "Great Chief for the night. First portion of the evening was devoted to a proogramme of songs, recitations. a sketch and musical items and the piesentation of long membership bars —live years, 10 years and 15 years.

The second portion of the programme took the form of a smoke concert, when a toast list, interspersed with items, was the order of the night. Songs were contributed in the first half of the programme by Savage C. Brandon and during the smoke concert by Savage O. Larsen. Peter Swan was heard in elocutionary items in the first half, and New Zealand champion trombone trio, Messrs Brian Ingram, Robert Lee and Leet Halle, conducted by Savage R. W. Thomas, played enjoyable numbers. A sketch was staged by Savages A. Andrews and J. Windleburn. The Savage Club orchestra, one of the best musical bodies the city has ever had, played marches and, in addition, a Fantasy on "Annie Laurie." This proved very popular. It was a number which contributed to the very high expression of appreciation which was made to the conductor (Savage W. Bowrai and his men later in the evening. Mr. D’Arcy Cavell contributed piano-accordion numbers during the smoke concert. Among the visitors for the occasion was a former stalwart of the club, who now lives in Nelson —Savage Bob Howell. He was greeted with the singing ot "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow ’ and the Savage song of tribute "Why Was He Born so Beautiful?"

The "Rangatira’ (Savage A. J. W. Hodder) was in the chair at the smoke concert and Savage Bob Olliver was the pianist The toast list included: ‘‘The Rangatira" proposed by the “Ariki,” Savage Doctor G. J. Adams and replied to oy Savage Hodder), "The High Council" (proposed by Savage Hoarier), "The Custodians" Mr. and Mrs Bowes (proposed by Savage B. R. Dobbs, and replied to by both Mr and Mrs. Bowes), "The Orchestra’’ (proposed by "Rangatira” Hodder and replied to by the conductor, Savage W. Bowra), "The Artists' (proposed by Savage D. G. Strachan and replied to oy Savage Jack Shanks), "The Stewards" (Savage a. J. Prichard and replied to by Savage C. Bradley), “Stage and Properties" (Savage W. S. Steele and replied to by Savage G. Cat-line), “The Visitors’ Book" (Savage H. Fry and replied to by the present artist who paints the appropriate designs each korero, Savage C. Cornish), "Donors of Prizes” proposed by Savage R. Wansborough, special mention being made of the artist who did the advertising signs each korero, Mr. Russell Nelson), “The Press” (proposed by Savage Al. Newrick, replied to by Savage D. G. Strachan).

Very high tributes were paid to Savage W. Duncan, the stage manager and his assistant (Savage R. Tulloch in the early part of the year, until his transfer to the South Island, and latterly Savage G. Carline). It was pointed out by Savage Steele, who proposed the toast that the work back stage was one of the most important functions of the club and those who did the work were rarely seen.

Similar tributes were paid in the toast of “The Artists.” It was stressed that, but lor those who could contribute to programmes there would be no audiences. The club's great function was tiie encouragement of self-expression the human way, to gel men to sing, play, to act in the flesh as opposed to the turning of a switch to create musical charm mechanically. Those who could take their places on stage kept the great purpose of the club going, went away on raiding parties and so brought talent into Wanganui from outside. The work of the performers and those who aided them back stage made those on the floor ot the hapu, who . me to enjoy feel very numble.