WAIHI FEDERAL BAND

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXVI, Issue 9061, 20 April 1937, Page 2

WAIHI FEDERAL BAND

CIVIC RECEPTION AT MINERS'THEATRE

THE TAURANGA CONTEST | PRESENTATION OF MEDALS AVaihi's success at the Easter band tournament at Tauranga was publicly recognised on Saturday afternoon, when members of the Federal Band were accorded a civic reception in the Miners' Theatre, being entertained the same evening to a smoking concert as the guests of the Wailii Borough Council. There was an attendance of over 200 people at the afternoon gathering. Not since 1912 has the Federal Band achieved such success in competition with other bands as it did at Easter. It won the coveted Boosey Shield for the highest aggredate marks in music in the test selection, the hymn and in the quickstep. It also won the Hawk Shield | for the test, together with a set of medals.

The band, under Drum-Major W. N. Verry, paraded at the hall and marched up Seddon Street to the Sterling Hotel corner, then down the street to opposite the Commercial Hotel, and back again to the hall. Appreciation of the way the men marched and of the music they played was expressed by frequent bursts of applause from groups of spectators. The men then filed into the hall, where the official party was ready to receive them. On the stage were the Mayor, Mr W. M. Wallnutt, and Mrs Wallnutt, the president of the band, Mr C. Ford, and Mrs Ford, and the band secretary, Mr J. J. Callaghan. MAYOR'S REMARKS The Mayor, who was introduced by Mr Ford, said that before presenting the medals he wanted to say a few words about the band. Though the council was entertaining the band and committee that evening, they had assembled that afternoon to pay tribute to the band's fine achievement at Tauranga by way of a civic reception and welcome. This particular function, he said, took his mind back twenty-five years to a similar occasion when the band was welcomed home at the foot of the Seddon Memorial after winning the "A" Grade competition at the Gisborne contest in 1912, and which carried with it the Besson Shield. The band marched up the main street, the secretary, Mr A. Gillet{, carrying the shield. Referring to the photograph of the band at that time, and which he had in his room at the Borough Chambers, the Mayor said that the oldest members of the band were Mr Charles Dunstan, and the conductor, Mr Carlyon, both of whom had participated in that contest and were still active members. (Applause.) Another interesting fact was that the mascot of the band in 1912 was Mr Eric Dunstan, now holding the responsible position of deputybandmastev- They had also' still with them the drum-major of thai band, Mr D. J. Gardiner. Since 1912 the town had experienced many ups and downs, and the band's progress, of course, was somewhat similar but to-day the band had made history for it had made history repeat itself by its achievement at Tauranga. Every credit was due to the conductor, the deputy-conductor, the drummajor (Lieutenant W. N. Verry), the band manager and the ladies' committee.

Reviewing the judge's remarks on the playing of the test piece, Mr Wallnutt said that the band was close up on the possible points obtainable right through in the matter of tone, time, technique, expression, etc.

Continuing, the Mayor made special reference to the splendid testimonial which the council had received from the Tauranga Contest Committee in respect to the band’s exemplary behaviour while at Tauranga. He thought that that tribute was even of more importance than that of the musical success, because a town was generally judged by its representatives when away from home. He was satisfied that the band had on that occasion faithfully upheld the good name and the best traditions of the town. (Applause.) Mr Wallnutt concluded by calling for three cheers for the band which were heartily given. Medals were then presented by Mr Wallnutt, Mrs Ford pinning them on each man’s breast as he stepped forward. BANDMASTER REPLIES After the band had played the

selection with which it had won the test, “Recollections of Bellini,” which was heartily applauded, the bandmaster, Mr Carlyon, thanked the Mayor and council for the generous recognition that had been given to what measure of success had attended the hand’s efforts. It had been an honour to represent Waihi, and the band felt doubly honoured when the people showed their appreciation in the manner they were doing. Most of the members of the band, added Mr Carlyon, were Waihi-born, and with one exception all had trained in Waihi with either the Federal or Salvation Army Bands. (Applause.) Mr Callaghan thanked the people of the town for the generous support they had given the band, especially of recent months. This was encouraging to bandsmen, and should give them heart to aspire to even greater | things. He felt sure, however, that [ even now many citizens did not

realise that they had such a line musical combination in their midst. The playing of the National Anthem brought the gathering to a close. The band then paraded and again played its way up and down the street, after which it dispersed.