LIVELY AIR CROSSING OF THE TASMAN BY THE ST. KILDA BAND

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 November 1949, Page 4

LIVELY AIR CROSSING OF THE TASMAN BY THE ST. KILDA BAND

AUCKLAND, Saturday (PA).—Returning by air from their victorious visit to the Ballarat band contest, the St. Kilda Band, of Dunedin, had a lively experience. Soon after leaving Sydney at 2 a.m., Qantas Skymaster chartered by Tasman Airways ran into an electrical storm and was hit on the nose by a bolt of lightning. “After that none of us could sleep," members of the band said on their arrival at. Whenuapai. “A dazzling flash and an explosive bang shook us up. Later we ran into another storm, with bumps and lightning.” The commander of the aircraft, Captain Myers, said the lightning did not damage the plane or affect the instruments. The dazzling flash blinded ' the crew for a moment. Bandmaster K. G. L- Smith said that lain fell almost all the time the band was in Ballarat. “The boys played very well," he added. ‘The band won the A grade section, scoring in the test piece ■ and own choice. ; f 1 was second in the ! quickstep, beatin o eight other bands ■, in the grade. The band was placed . second in both marching contests.” j The conductor’s son, Ken Smith, won the B flat cornet championship j and was champion of champions for i the whole contest. Other bandsmen had individual successes. | The band will leave for Dunedin to morrow night, arriving there on TuesI day afternoon.