Feilding Brass Band Anniversary.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 239, 14 February 1894, Page 2

Feilding Brass Band Anniversary.

TBJP TO BANGIWAHIA. " Muster at 5 o'clock in the morning or you will be left behind" was the latest order given on Saturday. We then separate to enjoy sleep and dreams, and at 5 a.m. find the Band in fall strength, at Messrs Berry and Trevena's Carbine Stables, where four prancing steeds are being harnessed to the coach, but upon mounting it is found there are too many passengers for the coach and a double buggy is brought into requisition. Then, after a final look round to see if straps, buckles, etc., are all right, we are off at 5.25 a.m. away up the Kimbolton road across the Eiwitea stream and into the lone straight for Cheltenham. No sign, of human life about, the only living things being the sheep which seem uncommonly fine specimens, munching the dewy morning grass. Evidently we are too early for the milk carts going to the factory for they are conspicibus by their absence, only two being seen on the whole journey. After imbibing at the Cheltenham Hotel (the horses, »o£ the band) we are away again. The country now changes. We have left the. level land and there follows a succession of hills and hollows. By the way, we are quite struck with the imposing appearance of the Kiwitea Post Office. Surely the district warrants something better than that. Nothing of importance until we reach Mr Church's property, where the novelty of a biped yoked to a new style of four wheeled cart for conveying milk from the cow yards to the house, is seen. Birmingham is next reached, where evidently the inhabitants are a bit surprised for a coach arriving so early, with drum and brass instruments lashed on top, is certainly an innovation, for doors are opened and bunds pulled to one side, and the occupants of the houses are seen in all stages of semi dis habille. After a few of the Band partaking of breakfast, the horses are changed and away we spin. The scenery now is all that could be wished for— rugged and wild, deep guUlies clothed to their depth, with primeval forest, high mountains towering up hundreds of feet, but it is noticeable that in places where, after an expenditure of many pounds to fall and burn the bush, the settlers seem to think every- , thing has been done, and are allowing undergrowth to spread until it is as bad as the original bush. " Peep-o-Day," cries the genial Sam, who, I might say, handled the ribbons from Birmingham to Pemberton, and we aught, and i shouldering our instruments we are piloted to the top where there is plateau. After fixing our stands we launch out into melody, which is caught up by the surrounding cattle, sheep, and birds. Surely it is some strange monster come among them, for the cattle, tails erect, leap the logs, and career wildly round the Band, bellowing the meanwhile: the sheep also gather in knots and bleat * plaintively, while the birds eddying above us continue the chorus after the Band has finished. The unwise Bandsmen who did not avail themselves of Host Lowes' breakfast are strengthened by the assurance that Mr Bell and his fair daughters have a sumptuous repast awaiting them at the Peep-o'-Day homeI stead, which is half-a-nule distant, but after two or three more tunes time is called, and Sam is inexorable. The hungry ones hang their harps on the willows and weep, minus their luncheon. Away again ; after proceeding a mile or two the coach is " bailed up." Visions of bushrangers and revolvers float through our brains, and the cry goes forth, " What's up ? " The gentleman of the road explains that he means us no harm, then exposes to our view a bucket of milk cunningly secreted be- ! hind a post, which I can assure you the* band did full justice to. Three cheers Were given for the "bushranger" (Mr Gladstone). I forgot to mention the splendid view we obtained from the top of Peep-o'-Day ; it is an impressive view of a wide reach of partly cleared forest land, embracing the upper watershed of the Bangitikei and Oroua rivers. Away in the distance can be seen Egmont, and to the right is the sea. There is a curious formation to be seen between here and Pemberton, where there is a layer of shells cropping out of the bank on the roadside. For an explanation of this I leave to Savants. We were now going down a cutting on the side of a hill, and are told to look out for Pemberton—or correctly speaking, Bangiwahia — and all at once it bursts upon our view; but how shall I describe it ? A large grassy flat, surrounded by bills covered with bush ; a pretty spot, designed by nature for a town— an Oasis in a desert. But I must be brief. We find a bandstand erected, with an awning over it, and we are soon making the hills resound, being surrounded by the whole of the population of Pemberton and districts for miles around. Mr Mcllroy, of the Pemberton Hotel, now appears and informs us that dinner is ready, and invites us to partake of his hospitality. We needed no second asking, but, scat* tering crotchets and quavexg, we adjourn to a capacious dining-room, where we find a splendid dinner set out, and with two handsome waitresses, the Misses ' Mcllroy, what man is there in the Band ! who did not enjoy it ? We now retire s from the good things, Borne reclining i under trees, others gathering ferns f while the representative of a well-known brewing firm, in his endeavours to catch a many plumaged bird, falls headlong ! into a treacherous swamp. More music, and then an invitation to tea provided by the ladies of the hotel, assisted by Mrs Brittain. This is also greatly appreciated by the Band. The coaches are by this tinie waiting for us, and after a few words of thanks by our solo cornet we mount again. Pemberton has a bright prospect before it— buildings are going up in all directions, the latest being a store and bakery for Mr W. Franklin-Browne ; also stores for Messrs Moffatt and Hickford Bros. When the road is opened to the railway, which is only nine miles distant, Feilding and Birmingham will lose all its trade. We start for home, changing horses at Birthingham, where we have supper. Feilding is reached about 1.30 a.m., everyone tired, but having thoroughly enjoyed the outing. Too much praise cannot be given to Messrs Berry and Trevena for the splendid manner in which they turned out their teams. They also handled the ribbons to Birmingham, where Mr S. Daw took charge, who deserves special mention, as 'he provided the coaches free of charge. Mr Lowes must not be forgotten for bis hospitality to the Band. Altogether the trip— Bo miles — was a very enjoyable one, and will go far to promote the good feeling that already exists in the Band. I forgot to mention that Mr Wilson, the uewly appointed Feilding stationmaster, accompanied the Band, having been lundly invited by Mr Daw. I One of Them.