WANGANUI BAND.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 968, 8 November 1910, Page 5

WANGANUI BAND.

.MAY.MAKE A TRIP TO ENGLAND. (By Telegraph.-Special Correspondent,) .■■ m Auckland, November 7.' The manager of the Wangamii Band, Mr. J. T. Muir, on boing: interviewed, stated that the bandsmen■■ were naturally elated at their successes, and they had reason to be, for in winning itho inarching and test selections they had carried off what -was.generally recognised as the championship of Australasia. The championship has never been won by a Now Zealand band before, although four previous attempts have been made to secure tT^^ 7 , t] ie ;invcrcargiU Garrison Band, then by the Oatnaru Garrison ■M ™ Wellington Garrison Band and ;tne Kaikorai Band, each in succession.; When the Wanganui Band went over this_v«ar, under the able conductorship of Mr; Wade, it felt quite confident, and. although it had to compete against such noted bands as Prahran (Melbourne), Colhngwood {Melbourne),, and. Ballarat Uty, it succeeded in winning not only the two great, tets, but also .£230 in prize money, whioh was the highest possible. The. three bands menhoned and the Wanganui Band, were classed by the judge .(Mr. Short), who was specially brought out from England as equal to the best bands at Home He was particularly struck with the Wanganui Band's playing of the difficult "ValKyne (Wagner), and out of a possible 225 marks he awarded Wanganui 222 marks ■ He described it as a magnificent performance,, equal to anything even the "Besses" couM do, and he. advised the New £ealanders, if .possible, to take a trip Home and compete there. ' He said he was sure they would astonish bandsmen in the Old Country, and it is quite possible that the trip will be undertaken, that is if it can be financed. (By Tolcgrapli.-Press Association.) Auckland, November 7 Tho Wanganui Band was tendered an official; reception by.the Mayor (Mr. Bagnail) m the Albert Park this afternoon. The visitors were escorted to-the park by the Auckland Garrison Band, and by the time they arrived a crowd of several thousand had assembled to bid them welcome.- The Mayor said the presence of such a large crowd showed that the citizens were anxious to shower their congratulations upon the baud on having achieved such a series of successes. (Applause.) It was a matter of great gratification to all in the Dominion that a band from Wanganui should have gone to Australia and returned with the championship; (Applause.) Mr. A. Wade, the conductor, returned thanks, saying that the band's Tcception in Auckland had altogether exceeded its ■ expectations. Mr Jas. T• M'lir, manager of the band, also returned thanks. The band then played a number of selections from its repertoire. The visitors were entertained at dinner by the Garrison Band, and subsequently left by the Main Trunk express a great - gathering assembling at the station to farewell tliem.