BRITISH & INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1924, Page 2

BRITISH & INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

JUBILEE DAY. The commemoration of the diamond Jubilee of Westland goldfields, was one of the occasions in call forth the Exhibition enterprise. The day was looked forward to with interest, and the Exhibition had made special preparations for the event. The Greymouth Municipal Band was specially invited for the day, and a line hand of some 30 players "as in attendance, arriving by the first train. The baud played prior to the opening of the public function, and also in the building during'the afternoon and evening a large number of the public being present and enjoying the programmes submitted. The bandsmen were entertained by the Exhibition authorities.

The attendance during the day and in the evening was very large. All the trains into Hokitika were well patronised, ami the visitors flocked to the Exhibition—which is as popular as ever as an attractive resort. The weather proved beautifully line, and everything connected with the jubilee functions passed off most suecesslnlly. During the afternoon subsequent to the luncheon, a large group of the pioneers was photographed outside the Town Hall. The day was pronounced a great success, and opened very auspiciously the round of celebrations for the jubilee period which extends to .Saturday next. To-day the pioneers are being entertained at a picture display at the Princess Theatre, thanks to the courtesy of Mr A. Delian, the lessee. To-night there is to he a West Coasters' reunion social at the Soldiers’ Hall. Music and dancing will constitute the programme, for which the Royal Orchestra will play. The pioneers will he entertained at supper bv the ladies’ committee, which did such good work at the luncheon yesterday, the arrangements being hitchless. Mr lichen lias extended an invitation to the pioneers of the sixties to attend the “Toreador’’, perlormance to-night .

To-morrow motor trips will be provided for the pioneers, motor buses and cars running from the Exhibition Buildings from 10 a.in. In the evening the pioneers will have the opportunity of hearing Derry’s band. On Saiuidav the Boss sports will be the. attraction for the pioneers. To-morrow night, and three following evenings. Derry’s hand will be the big attraction for the Exhibition. The band is sure to have a cordial welcome. After the performance to-mor-row night, the bandsmen will be tendered a welcome social at the Soldiers' Hall by the Royal Orchestra and other musical friends. It should be a very jolly gathering.

To-day is the second day of the Jubilee eiTehral ion-. This forenoon the Exhibition "as open to the pioneers. and (his afternoon an interesting moving picture display "as shown at tlu* Princess Theatre. To-night a social is being held in the Soldiers’ Hall for the pioneers. This takes the form of a. West Coast reunion, so that the second and third generation, and the public generally arc entitled to be present and assist to cut err,sin the pioneer hand. Ihe social should lie a great success, At the Exhibition to-night at 8 o'clock the Hokitika .Municipal band will lender a special programme of music. This "ill lit* well worth hearing. as several new numbers "ill be rendered. To-morrow "ill come the long-looked for visit of Derry’s Band. unquestionably tlu* best Military Baud organised in the Southern Hemisphere. It. will lie it great treat to have so line h combination brought, to tin* town, and the enterprise of the -Exhibition authorities should be well supported by Hie public in appreciation of the treat which will ho afforded. The band performs to-morrow night, and on Saturday and Sunday, concluding the visit on Monday night with a grand farewell concert. Tt will he a rare opportunity indeed to hear the host of music rendered by so fine a combination.

Following Berry's hand next week patrons of the Exhibition entertainments will have a pleasant surprise, ns arrangements are being completed for a visit of Little .Toan Hughes of Christchurch. the child wonder of the Dominion, and her partner Muriel Kershaw. Little Joan' lias just added to her laurels in Christchurch by appearing as “The Kid” in imitation of .Jackie Coogan, and she excelled herself. Mr Bucket.t. who was here lately. writes that little .Toan is a wonder. she is really good and entertains the old no less successfully than the young. With her partner Muriel, clever duets in character are done. Negotiations are proceeding also for a visit of Miss Lucy C’owan. of Christchurch with a party of juvenile entertainers in character songs, duets, sketches, humorous recitations etc. Each performer is said to he a star artist, and all have won elnimpiondliip honors all over the Dominion. Tf the company can he arranged for, the visit will begin on January 22nd. For the last week of the I'.xhibilioii commencing on January 23th. an effort is being made to secure the presence of Miss Bessie Macdonald s troupe of young ladies from Christchurch in an entertainment of refined vaudeville. This company i. spoken nf very highly, has the benefit of firstclass tuition lro in M iss .Ma<*(lonaM who lias visiU-fl America lately and returned with many novel idea.** l*>.i stajie presentation. On Tuesday next tin* coinhined kxhibition Choir and Hokitika Orchestra will jointly render a special concert in the Orpheus Theatre, when special numbers will he rendered, including solos by performers new to the town. It should he a special draw for the evening. DERBY’S band. j

TO-.MOHftOW NIGHT." The coining of Derry's Band from Christchurch is now at hand. I lie hand is due to arrive to-morrow evening. and at 8. In will render ils first programme ol the four nights’ season in the Exhibition Buildings, main annexe, on the hand rotunda. Derry’s

hand is unique almost. I here are hut , three military hands m New Zealand, one in Auckland, the second in Dunedin. and Derry’s Military Band. Christchurch, hut the hist claims to he not only the biggest military hand in New Zealand, hut in Australasia This may well he the ease, for it numbers as many instrumentalists as the Grenadier Guards Band at Home. J Air E. C. Derry, the conductor, al- I though born in 1872 wears his years i well. At 10 lie took his first lessons j on the cornet from Mr John Pooler. then bandmaster to Addington Work- j shops Band. In 1892 Mr Derry won the second prize in the solo eompeti- ; tion in the Wellington contest. The same year he was appointed conduc- ; tor of AVoolston Band, which position he held for nine years. Under his leadership the hand found its way to fame, and became the strongest in the province, numbering 43 players. He lias won numerous prizes for individual work in concerts. In 1901 Derry’s Private Band wasformed with 12 performers, and this was the inauguration of the present band. Several members of the hand were

engaged to tour England with tlio “All Black” band under Lieut. Herd. During that time Derry’s fell away considerably, but on Ids return there was a revival which placed the band in a stronger position than ever. Mr Fred Wooledge, principal clarionet. is a first-class performer, who toured with Williamson’s Co. for some years throughout Australasia. The principal flute and piccolo player is .Aft- A. Hutton, who is in the first rank in the Dominion. Mr C. Jotighin is the solo cornetist .

It may not Ik? generally known that, a military band comprises reed, string, and brass instrumentalists, and the brass section of Derry’s is equal to, if not superior to that ol any other hand in the Dominion. Derrv’s hand in addition to the opening performance will perform in the Exhibition buildings twice on Saturday (matinee in afternoon) twice on Sunday (afternoon and evening), and the final concert will be given on Monday night with a farewell programme. The visit ol the baud promises to be a great success well iustifving the enterprise of the Exhibition Executive in entering into the engagement of the hand.