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Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 445, 2 January 1909, Page 3

An unrehearsed incident took place in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, in the very early hours of yesterday morning. The huge crowd that had gathered to see the old year out and the New Year in had begun to display here a,nd there some signs of rowdiness, and the police in one or two cases, had had to draw their batons, when some one espied Mr Short, the King’s Trumpeter, watching the proceedings from the balcony of the United Service Hotel. An instant demand was made that he play, something, and it became so insistent that Mr Short fetched his trumpet and played a number of songs, concluding with “Home, Sweet Home,” and “ God Save the King.” The tolerably broad hint conveyed in these two airs was accepted by the crowd, who, after heartily cheering the trumpeter, dispersed to their several homes. It is said that the police authorities took the opportunity of thanking Mr Short for lending them such efficient aid in checking the iucipent disturbance.