Feilding Music Interests

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 30, 5 February 1937, Page 10

Feilding Music Interests

FAREWELL TWO MEMBERS Members of the Feilding branch of the British Music Society on Wednesday evening farcwelled two members, Miss M. Armour, who is shortly leaving to reside in Auckland, and Mr. C. Simmons, who is shortly leaving for England. The gathering took place at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Sandilands. During an interval in the musical programme, Mrs. W. Sandilands, on behalf of the society—and in the absence of Mr. Gordon Eliott —made a presentation to the guests of honour, Miss M. Armour receiving a crystal table set and Mr. Simmons a cased writing set. Both presents had suitable inscription on accompanying cards. Mrs. Sandilands, in referring to the loss the society was suffering in the departure of two of its most active members, spoke of Miss Armour's leugthy association with the society, both as a player and a committee member. Mr. Simmons, though not a committee member, had lent his wholehearted support to the society and waj a very hard worker in its interest. In reply, Miss Armour voiced her regret at having to sever her connection with the body, but she hoped perhaps, at a future date, to renew associations with it. She sincerely expressed best wishes for the success of the society in the future and returned thanks for the handsome present with which she would associate the ever happy memories of her term as a member of the Feilding branch. Mr. Simmons, in thanking Mr. and Mrs. Sandilands and members of the Feilding branch of the British Music Society for the parting gift and the kind expressions that accompanied it, said he felt very highly honoured. His membership in the local branch had not been of very long duration besides which he had not been a very active member musically. Ho had, however, derived much pleasure from the interesting and entertaining personnel which comprised the Feilding branch and the happy associations formed through liis connection with the society would always bo cherished memories. The attraction of the society had been much enhanced by the activities of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Eliott and Mr. and Mrs. W. Sandilands who continued to do so much for music in the district. It seemed almost as though anyone musical, or even if only a music lover, possessed what amounted to a very valuable passport, for although comparative strangers, they were received warmly into what amounted to a brotherhood. This attitude he deeply appreciated. He trusted that he would not entirely lose contact with the society or Feilding’s musical activities and would be happy if he could render it any service during his residence in England. Musical items were contributed by Mrs. Sandilands, pianoforte solo; Mr. Gnardinger, tenor solos; Miss J. Taylor, ’cello solos; Miss Armour, musical monologue; Miss N. Hausmann, ’cello solos; Miss Blanchette, vocal solo; and Mr. W. Sandilands, instrumental items. Those present included Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Sandilands, Mrs. Gordon Eliott, Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Farmer, Mrs. Wottan, Mr. and Mrs. McDonald, Messrs J. Durham, A. J.. Dixon, (J. Simmons and Gnardinger, Misses N. and D. Hausmann, K. Salter, L. Geary, M. Garrett, J. Taylor and O. Whitehead.