NEW BOYS’ BAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 701, 28 June 1929, Page 14

NEW BOYS’ BAND

FORMED IN MOUNT EDEN DISTRICT * INSTRUMENTS ON WAY The set of instruments on order for the recently formed Mount Eden Boys’ Band (Inc.) is expected to arrive in two or three weeks, when frequenters of the numerous parks and reserves in the district will be provided with entertainment in a form popular’ in Auckland. The movement which culminated in the formation of this latest addition to the bands of the city really commenced when the Mount Eden Eorough Council’s traffic inspector, Mr. J. W. Bransgrove, came to the district in 1923. A keen musician himself, he worked some time for the establishment of a municipal boys’ band, but, finding this impossible, he turned his efforts in the direction of the present venture.

A meeting was held on December 13, 1928, when the numerous boy band enthusiasts in the district were addressed by the conductor of the junior division of the Ponsonby Boys’ Brass Band, Mr. George Marsh. FORTY BOYS ENROLLED

It was then decided to form a band, and 40 boys were enrolled, with a waiting list of 30. On the band’s placing an order for a set of instruments with a city firm, it obtained the loan of a set for use till the new one arrived.

Practices were commenced on February 28, and have been held twice a week since then. Keen interest has been displayed by the members, whose ages range between 10 and 14 years.

The Mayor of Mount Eden, Mr. E. H. Potter, the Deputy-Mayor, Mr. A. M. Bryden, Cr. J. M. Melville, and Mr. Oliver Nicholson, went guarantors to the extent of £240, the price required for the purchase of a set of instruments. They are the patrons of the band.

Mr. George Marsh, of the Ponsonby Boys’ Band, is the conductor, and Mr. Bransgrove the hon. secretary. The executive committee consists of Messrs. S. Marks, W. Johnson, W. Gear, Sharp, and A. Wakefield.