MASTERTON MUNICIPAL BAND.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9121, 22 June 1908, Page 5

MASTERTON MUNICIPAL BAND.

MR P. W. G. M'LEOD RESIGNS THE CONDUCTORSHIP.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BAND.

General regret will no doubt be felt in the community that the Masterton Band is to lose the services of Mr F. W. G. McLeod, as Conductor. The performances of the Band during the long term of Mr McLeod's office have been so meritorious that it will be generally felt that his resignation as Conductor means a somewhat serious loss to the Band. It was only last week that Mr McLeod decided to give up his office, as his health has been far from satisfactory for some time, —in fact ever since the seizure he suffered from at the last Wanganui contest he has been in indifferent health. Mr McLeod is known throughout New Zealand as a bandsman of conspicuous ability. Prior to taking charge of the Masterton Band eight and a-half years ago, he was a member of the celebrated Oamaru Garrison Band, which was one of the finest musical organisations in New Zealand, Mr McLeod holding the positions of leader and solo cornet. Asa cornet player he was in the first flight, having been, champion at the Wellington contest, and occupying first position at Dunedin and other leading contests.

Mr M'cLeud sketched a brief history of the Band since his connection with it to a Wairarapa Age reporter on Saturday, and an interesting account it is. The list of successes scored reads as follows:—1901 — Wanganui, second in test selection?, but disqualified owing to technicality 1903—Masterton, second in quickstep. 1904—Palmerston North, third in quickstep, ISOG —Nelson, second in tost selectit n nryl first in quickstep. 1907. —Christchurch Exhibition, second in quickstep. 1908 — New Plymouth, second in quickstep. At Carterton, Dm-raber 1905, won marching, practically a walk ever, only one other contestant, other entrants withdrawing'. This record has placed the Masterton Band airorg the top division of New Zealand bands, and must be considered satisfactory both to those concerned and the townspeople.

"Drum-Major Hunn," said Mr McLeod, "who has had charge of the military work for some years, is deserving of every credit for the performances put up by the Band in marching contests, and this, combined with the excellent 'account that the members have always given of themselves from a musical point of view, ■has resulted in success on evejy occasion since 1903 (Masterton)." Immediately after the Mastcrtm contest Conductor McLeod and Bandsman Harold Dixcn left for England, having been selected as members of the New Zealand Band, under Lieutenant Herd, which toured the United Kingdom in 1903. Mr McLeod returned to New Zealand as Conductor, being appointed to that position by the members,.. J.nd \ms the recipient of an address signed bv all the bandsmen on ariival inWillington. During the last few years tempting offers have Leen made to induce him to go to Hohart, Ararat (Victoria), Sydney, and one or two towns in New Zealand, but fcr vm - - ous reasons were declined. Mr McLeod has also don? a little at comrcsinp-, his march "Ingleby" now being well-known throughout the Dominon, having been published by "The Champion Band Journal," and also played by the massed bands at: the Crystal Palace, London. It is understood that Mr McLeod will not give up playing altogether, but will'merely follow it as a pastime. The local band's trouble for some years has been the want of a first-class solo cornet, and it is owing to the conductor having had to perform both duties at competitions and out of them, that his nervous system has partially given way, and demands rest for a period at least. "My heart is in the work," concluded Mr McLeod, "and it is somej what of a wrench to be obliged to ! give it up."