CITIZEN’S BAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 19, 21 April 1947, Page 5

CITIZEN’S BAND

POPULAR CIVIC RECEPTION S.A. C GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP To further mark the success of the Whakatane Citizen’s Band at the Te Aroha Contest, when on the aggregate marks awarded it was adjudged the C Grade Champion Band of the South Auckland District, Conductor and Bandsmen were accorded a Civic Reception in the St. John Ambulance Hall last Thursday evening. There was a large and representative gathering and members of local bodies joined in paying a genuine tribute to the band on its splendid achievement. Apologies were received from Mr W. R. Boon (Harbour Board), Mr W. Sullivan, M.P., and Mr J. Mullins (Hospital Board). The Mayor of Whakatane (Mr B.

■S. Barry) who presided said that the Band had proved itself a definite asset to town and district, and residents, were very proud of its achievement. Its work in connection with practically all local affairs of ■a public nature was well known and for that reason it could always look forward to a liberal measure of support from the general public. He paid particular tribute to Mr W. Jarrett, the Conductor who during the war years had taken over the young boys who had originally been trained by the late Mr Mayo. The boys

had made a name for themselves and since the war had ended had gone from success to success. It was a great achievement to bring championship honours to Whakatane for the first time and he warmly congratulated them all. Mr A. J. Canning, president of

the band committee, was in happy vein when he reported on the recent contest. He twitted the Borough Council on the limited nature of its .•annual grant (£2O) and added that Rotorua paid something like £2OO for the services of an outside band • over Xmas and New Year. The boys (who constituted 80 per cent, of the band) had won wide repute in Te

Aroha not only on account of their playing, but also by their good behaviour. He read a letter from the

proprietress of the boarding house which they were quartered, which made very complimentary reference to the band as a whole. The speaker thanked the Ladies Committee, Mrs

Jarrett, Mrs Mayo, Mrs Ken Stewart, Mrs Alan Stewart and Mrs L.

H. King and all others who had assisted the band.

Speaking for the Harbour Board Mr H. G. Warren congratulated the Band and the Committee. Mr C. A Suckling for the Hospital Board added his tribute and took the opportunity of thanking the Band for its

frequent concerts at the hospital for the benefit of patients. Chief D. Anderson offered the congratulations of the. Caledonian Society. Replying for the Band, Bandmaster W. Jarrett said that all members deeply appreciated the gesture which the town extended them. It had done the boys good to participate in the contest, and their success would stimulate them to still greater efforts. He personally appreciated the remarks of the speakers regarding his efforts but he

could assure them all that it was only through the co-operation of the boys that they had been able to go so far. He was very proud of them. He paid a special tribute to ' Mr Prank Milne for training the boys in marching, and in coaching Bandsman Colin Ranby into a first class drum-major. The band was now consolidated and although several of its best players had left, they would

be replaced and he felt sure, it would go on improving in future.

The Mayor then presented the Aggregate Shield (Championship) and the Test Selection Shield to Bandmaster Jarrett, and medals to the following players: Brian Skelton, Ist Euphonium solo; Garry Skelton Ist Boys cornet solo; Murray Hunter, 2nd Boys cornet solo; Phil Moore 2nd Trombone solo; Quartette, Brian and Garry Skelton. Len Broadmore and Dick Ward; and further silver medals to all who took part in the test selection.

During the evening, the Band played two marches, the Contest piece ‘Victoria’ and ‘Death or Gloi-y-’ A particularly well rendered cornet solo was given by Bandsman Garry Skelton, and. a vocal solo by Miss Dorothy Stewart ‘The Hymns of the Old Church Choir.’ By special .request the Band also played the hymn ‘Fabriano’, which Assistant Conductor Ken Jarrett explained had been especially composed for it to play at the contest, but had been discarded on account of the Band Association rule which stipulated hymns for competitional work had to be selected from a standard hymn book.