A GENEROUS VISITOR.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8737, 11 February 1907, Page 4

A GENEROUS VISITOR.

Comment is being toads ill Dttne'diii on the fact fck it Mr Owen, corfactor 0! the Bespes 0’ th’Barn Band, put the Kaikorai Band thfcough the “ Heroic" selection, one of the pieces to be played by the bafcd at the Exhibition contest. A, I newspaper controversy followed this 1 announcement, and an explanation, made to a reporter of the Dunedih Star by Mr J. Dixon* who iB travelling in Betsey’s interests with the Besses," contained some interesting statements. “We arrived in Wellington on the Riverina,” said Mr Dixon, “ and Mr Owen, who knows Lieutenant Herd, of the Wellington Garrison Band, gave him two hours at the ‘ Heroic’ selection. This was given, not to the band, but to Mr , Herd himself. Mr Owea explained the whole run of the selection to him, pointing out how co make the ; most of it, and so ftkth. He 1 then gaVe about An hohra interview on another score to Mr Jupp, of Jupp’s Band, Wellington. Then oame Mr Crichton, of the Wanganui Band, and Mr Owen gave him about half an hour .on the ‘Heroic’ score, besides Mr Owen played through the selection with his own band for Mr 1 Crichton’s benefit. After that Mr Owen gave the Woolston Band about I four hours' lesson on ‘Tannhafiaer,’ conducting for them. Many other persona also came up and sought Ml’ Owen’s advice in regard to the coming contest, and he gave his advice freely. In Dunedin Mr Owen was present at the rehearsal of the Kaikorai Band, and .after; the playing , of the ‘Heroic’ he offered them certain suggestions, criticisms, and so ) forth, but did not put the band through. It is Mr Owen’s intention to do the same for every New Zealand band that asks his advice, hoping by this means te be of some local service in trying to get the New Zealand bands into the method of his own band. He is simply inundated with applications from bandmasters to give advice, and he intends to do it. This, of course, is all without money and without price —he is not seeking to make anything out of it at all." .