The Band's Trip to Gore.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 446, 3 November 1904, Page 5

The Band's Trip to Gore.

(By One of Tiiem.)

i Pur weeks beforehand Alexandra - daudsmeri had been counting -he days i 'a.id looking forward to Saturday, lath ■ October, and at last, tha; day haviuw ' arrived, 6 a.m. sees a busy scene at Craig <fe Go's office, where the genial Seotty and George are employed in packing away portmanteaux and in* struments. Everything is soon in readiness ; the roll is called, and only I one member is found missing. The secretary promptly takes out a search warrant, and eventually finds the absent one fast asleep in his virtuous couch ; but the notes of the " assembly " fired at close range speedily "awakens the sleeper to a sense of duty. It is unar.imou.-ly resolved that the three best-looking men be allotted the box seat on the coach, and, this point having been satisfactorily settled, the bike contingent start, followed by the coach. The drive to Blacks— be<* pardon, Omakau—passes without incident, and after partaking of a cup of

tea, we delight and cheer the residents of the railway terminus with a tune, after whioh the train moves off amidst many good wishes from the spectators for our success at the Contest On the road to Ida Valley our funny man suggests that the cow-catcher shouh) be placed behind the train, as though there is no danger of running into a cow, it is just possible that some excited bovine might catch us and seriously damage the guard's van. It was unanimoasly resolved that the suggestion be forwarded to the Minister of R . 'ways for his favourable consideration. Song and tune help to while away the tedium of the time, and a little excitment is caused at Wedderburn, where the front part of the train runs away with the railing of one of the rear carriages. Harry meets many ♦friends at the various stopping places, and his cry of " Hullo, are you there ?" becomes a usual occurrence. Capburn is passed, copies of the ' Otago Daily , Times' are secured, and we are pleased to note that the Alexandra Band is to play in the Gardens on Sunday. Hyde sees a rush for dinner and a request from the railway officials for a tune at Middlemarch, to which we accede.

Whilst playing there our drum-major is greatly disgusted at being asked by a spectator where his instrument is. The Taieri Gorge is soon passed and duly admired, and at last Dunedin is reached, where we find many upcountry and town friends at the station to meet us. We created a little excitement by playing down Princes street to the hotel, and Billy Churstain is somewhat scared by the close proximity, of an electric tram. Here we are met by an old friend in Host Miller, also Joe Flint and others. Sunday sees a quiet day and an enjoyable afternoon in the Gardens, where we think a good deal of the Mornington Band. Monday morning we leave for Gore, being joined at Milton by the Tuapekaßand. After leaving Milton two caps are blown overboard, but Hallenstein's ! )reak the record and allay our uneasiness by forwarding two more next morning. Both bands, massed, gave a selection at Clinton, and at last we reach Gore, where we are met by a number of the committee, and each band plays off to its respective dwelling place. Ours we find most comfortable, and after dinner we trudge out to the ground for a practice. The paddock we find very rough. On returning tired and thirsty a is suggested, but met with laughter and a reminder that we are in a prohibition district, so we console ourselves with Dandelion ale (with a capital D). Tuesday is a busy day—practice morning noon and night, our conductor, Mr G. B. Laidlaw, being determined to lick us into shape. Other bands arrive at various times and are duly criticised, and we "are told our uniforms are amongst •he best, at which our drummajor a bit to his stride through the town. Many and anxious are the looks at the sky, which is dull and threatening; but Wednesday morning breaks fine, though very windy, and we parade for the march in high hopes of making a name for oui selves. The march out is a treat, the dust blowing in clouds, and on arrival at the ground

there is a delay caused by the wind being too much for the judge's tent. A. cart having been procured, the bands are inspected, and we, being unfortu nate enough to draw first place, make a start. Band follows band in the presence of a great crowd of spectators. Bobby Fraser being asked to play foi the Bluff, and at last the final excite meut of the decision corms. The result is a surprise and a downfall to oui hopes, we being low down on the list

uu r"i "" " —o . — ~ However, we give the winning band a hearty cheer, then make our way back in somewhat low spirits. " What will Alexandra say V is asked. " Never mind, buck up and play all you know in the Selection," says our genial bandmaster, and we take heart and determine to do or die that night. Time soon passes, and we take the stage third on the list. It is tiresome waiting while all the bands play the same tune over, and many of us adjourn and sample the kindly gift cf old friend Milne, returning for the judge's decision. Much to our delight, we come off in our opinion very well, gaining fourth plac3,*our old friend and neighj bor, the Cromwell Band, beating us by one point and getting third. Again popular opinion differs from the judge, and many and varied are the discussions amongst musical experts. We, however, as a baud, are satisfied, and return to our quarters in much better spirits than before. But sleep is not to be thought of, and !for some hours son.; and tune aro the order of the moment. There . is no longer need to be early in bed' the contest is finished. All strain and

, effort are done with, and Gore is kept lively by various Branigans till an early hour in the morning. On Thursday we are further cheered by Gallie winning the bass solo, and we parade , for the train in good spirits. Our champion drummer astonishes Gore by his playing on the way to the station, and is requested to encore, but as the day is very warm declines with thanks. Once more on the railway, Dunedin is soon reached. Friday is spent looking up old friends and enjoying ourselves, and Saturday sees us on our way home regretting the week has passed so quickly. We are unanimous that the trip has been an education to us, and trust to benefit by it at the next contest. We are rather astonished to find Alexandra en fete for our arrival and many kind words are spoken to and of us before we quietly disperse to our respective homes, delighted with our trip and determined to go to Winton next year and try to do better than at our first attempt.