REGIMENTAL BAND AND DRUMS’ VISIT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1435, 12 August 1915, Page 3

REGIMENTAL BAND AND DRUMS’ VISIT.

A RIGHT ROYAL WELCOME. Keen disappointment was expressed on all sides yesterday owing to the inclement weather, which put a damper on the local Patriotic Committee’s preparations for the al fresco concert to have been given by the Regimental Band and Drams connected with the Trentham Regiment (Earl Liverpool’s Own). Steady rain fell throughout the day, and precluded all outside attractions, and prevented the attendance of numbers of people living outside the borough area being present. Bunting was displayed outside the local business houses, and despite the weather, the town presented a holiday appearance. In the morning, the ladies’ committee attended at the Town Hall and received gifts of cakes and other edibles, and the spacious supperroom was a hive ot industry. Refreshments poured In from townspeople in such quantity as to be almost sufficient to satisfy the cravings of the collective inner man of the whole regiment. The tables were very tastefully decorated, and groaned under the burden of good things set out. Prior to the arrival of the train, several hundred townspeople up at the railway station to welcome the visitors. The school cadets, under Capt. Gabites, paraded, and the little chaps made light of the weather condition and sloppy road. The band and drums, und; ■ command of Sergt. Bandmaster Cole and Bugle-Major J. Lee. quickly formed up, and paraded along Wharf Street into Main Street, and to the Hall. The route match had to be abandonee.. The music en route was particularly stirring, and was keen y appreciated by the crowd taa. lined the footpaths. The military bearing of the men, and their fine physique, were favourably commented upon. The Mayor (Mr Aif. Fraser) announced that owing to the weather the band’s program! . would be given in the Hall, and that a small charge for admission would be made. The ball, downstairs, w-s quickly filled, and young ladies in fancy dresses lost no time in quitting flowers and buttonholes. The interior of the building presented a very animated scene. The Mayor, in introducing and welcoming the Band on its first public appearance, regretted the weather conditions, which was a source ot disappointment not only to a large number of people, but to the visitors also. Foxton was proud of the fact that it had been honoured by the Band’s first public appearance outside its military connection, and he was sure it would be many a long day before they would have another opportunity of listening to a better combination of musicians. The public was indebted to the Band, and particularly to its conductor, for their assistance in the local effort to supplement the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. The Band, which was grouped on the stage, was accorded a great ovation by the audience, and during the afternoon they played a number of selections, which were keenly appreciated by the audience. The music was splendidly balanced, and the interpretations gave evidence of skilled condnctorship and assiduous practice. A squad _of local cadets, under Capt. Gabites. gave au exhibition of physical exercises, and their movements were warmly commented upon by the military visitors.

The visitors were entertained at afternoon tea by the ladies, alter which further selections were rendered by the Band. The men had a stroll round tbe town, while a number spent the time at tbe Hall, where dancing was indulged in, and they were afterwards entertained at tea in the supper-room. For the evening concert, the hall was packed in every part, and a further contingent arrived from the camp by the evening train. Sergt. Cole superintended the programme, and the various instrumental, vocal and elocutionary numbers were keenly appreciated, and recalls were the order of the evening, despite the fact that it was intended that no encores were to be given. The items by the Band provided a musical feast that will not soon be forgotten by those present. The exhibition of drumming was a revelation, and in this connection particular mention must be made of the skilful training of Bugle Majc Lee, who shared tbe honours with Sergt. Cole. Both these officers were attached to the Samoan Ex peditionary Force. The latter conducted the Baud at Samoa, and played the National Anthem after the proclamation had been tread in connection with the taking of Samoa. The vocalists and elocutionists who contributed items to the programme did famously, and their items fairly ■brought down the house, and they all had to respond. The programme was r-r follows: —March “King Cotton,” Regimental Bat: I; song, “Youth,” Rifleman A. R. Alexandra; clog dance, Bugler W. Bolton; comic song, “She’s My Daisy,” Rifleman McGregor Wilson ; song, L.-Corporal Davidson ; recitation, Rifleman Luxford ; descriptive fantasia, “Smithy in the Wood,” Regimental Band ; song. Rifleman F. W. Melbuisb ; exhibition drumming, Regimen lal Drums; song, Corporal Robertson ; song comic, Rifleman McGregorWilson; item, “Cows in the Cotton ” Regimental Band ; song, Sergt. L. N. Tyler; camp march sonl “Who’s Your Lady Erieudßegimental Baud and

party ; march, "Ravenswood,” Regimental Band ; "First Post,” Regimental Bugles. Rifleman Dash presided at the piano. The National Anthem was played at both performances. The Mayor again thanked the Band, and paid a glowing tribute to its excellence and the quality of the concert as a whole. He called for three cheers for the Band and performers, which were lustily given. The whole of the contingent were subsequently entertained at supper, and cheers were given for the Mayor, ladies, Mrs Fraser, and others. Sergt. Cole, in a neat speech, thanked the Foxton people for their kind hospitality and appreciation of the Rand’s efforts. He hoped it would be possible to pay another visit at a later date. All the surplus refreshments were packed and sent to the camp. The visitors said they had been entertained before, but never on such a lavish scale as yesterday. Sergt. Cole presented Mr Horn* blow with his baton, which has an historic record, as a memento of the Band’s visit to Foxton. The Band entrained for the camp at 10.35, and was followed to the station by a large crowd. Cheers and counter cheers were given as t ie train steamed out. A word of praise is due to all who assisted to make the affair such a huge success. The Mayor announced that be had been promised a donation of £lO to be devoted to a boxing ompetltion at Foxton among the men ot the regiment. This announcement was received amidst applause by the men.