SENIOR CADETS' BAND.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14980, 29 May 1914, Page 9

SENIOR CADETS' BAND.

NEW DRUMS AND FIFES.

k A GIFT FROM THE CITIZENS,

An interesting ceremony took place in King Edward Barracks last night, when tho Senior Cadets' Band became the proud possessors of a complete set of drums and £fes, purchased for them by the generosity of a large number of citizens of Cliristchurch. Some months ago it was suggested that the band should be provided with a set of drums and fifes. Over £100 was subscribed, and an order was placed with Messrs Boosey and Co., of London, for a. complete set of the best instruments procurable. These camo to hand a few weeks ago, and include tenor.drums, which are tho first to be supplied to a New Zealand band.

The formal presentation of the new instruments was made last night, in the presence of a largo number of interested spectators. Among those present were Colonel G. J. Smith, Officer Commanding Canterbury Infantry Brigade; Liout.-Colonel R. W. Anderson, P.M.0.; Lieut.-Colonel P. C. Fenwick, N.Z.M.C.; Major Murphy, Commanding Ist (Canterbury) Regiment; Major Beattie, Commanding E Battery; Captain Midgley, Commanding No. 1 FieluCo. N.Z. Captain l>. McJ>onald, R.X.Z.A. (Lyttclton); Captain D. B. Blair, Captain A. H. Bum, and I>r. Jennings.

There was a full muster of tho band, numbering 30, -under Q.M-S. Heald, who were drawn up in .the centre of a hollow square formed by details of a number of Senior Cadet companies.

Tho parade was under the command of Captain "W. C. Finnis. There was a good muster, the companies represented being Nos. '66 (Christchurch), 70 (St. Michael's), 71 (AddingtonJ, 7G (TVoolston), TS (Sydenham Church), 79 (Sydenham), S3 (Linwood), ■Sβ (Richmond). 87 (St. Allans), and 92 (Christchurch).

In making tho presentation, Mr J. J. I>ougall said that tho drums and fife 3 had been subscribed for by the citizens of C/iristclniroh. Tho idea originated with Captain Finnis. who had asked him to assist in raising the funds. When he agreed to do co he had no idea of the great amount of work involved, but ho would Jiko to say that, with one exception, they had been received with the utmost heartiness by all tho citizens they had approached, and tho greatest interest va-s expressed in the Cadets and tho Territorials. Ono hundred people had subscribed amounte ranging from £o down to 2s (id. A total of £105 3s had been subscriber.}, which was sufficient to buy the best instruments, leaving a small surplus available for tho purchase <5t music and for incidental expenses 'in connexion with the band. Ho wished to thank very sincerely all tho ladies and gentlemen who had subscribed so liberally, and to express, on behalf of tho boys, their thorough appreciation of the handsome gift. The Bugle Band had done remarkably good work, but a drum and fife band' required much more skill, and he hoped that the lads would soon show the citizens of Christchurch that their hand was tho equal of any in Xew Zealand.

Captain Finnis then formally accepted the instruments on behalf of the Band, irhich, with dram» and bugles, played several marches in splendid style, and ■were loudly, applauded. The Cadets then formed into column of route, and, hea-ded by the Band, marched through the city before being dismissed. •