Valedictory.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 135, 30 November 1901, Page 3

Valedictory.

A very pleasant function was h-d 1 last evening in the Forester’s Ildl, when the members of urn Waimate Brass Band and friends assembled to bid farewell to Mr J. Harwood, who has resigned ids conductorship to proceed to Dannevirke, to the oand of which town he has been appointed conductor. Mr Joseph Williams occupied rim chair, and after light refreshments had been discussed, stated the object of the gathering—to bid farewell to their bandmaster, Mr Harwood, who was leaving the district. He read apologies for non-attendance from Messrs Graham, W. J. Wills and Coltman. The first toast, that of “ The King,” was drunk with due honours. The next toast, proposed by Mr 0. Dash, was “ The Trustees of the Band,” coupled with the names of Messrs E. D. Samlets and Miller. He sketched the method of registration followed by the Band and that now in vogue, and said the relations between trustees and Baud were of a most harmonioas nature and he hoped they would long continue. At present the Band was hampered by the rent of a suitable room, for their income was very small. It would be for the trustees and Band to try and run the Band on an assured financial basis.. At present they went round with the bit at Xmas, but this should not be necessary for any band. They gave their services to the public, which thought they had a right to a Band, so that he hoped some scheme would be brought forward so as to make' the Baud assured of au annual ipcome. Mr Sanders, in responding, said the position they had formerly been in was very 'unsatisfactory* the members having fall

Control of the Banff and kistrumenta. Acting on affvica the Band had been registered and the instruments and funds were vested in trustees. He was sure when they lost Mr Harwood they would lose one of the best bandsmen and conductor in the colony. He wished Him every success in his new sphere aod hoped the change would benefit his health. Mr Miller thought a Hand grand institution in a town and that a bandmaster should bo paid for the arduous work he had to put in. He wished Mr and Mrs Harwood every success in their new home.

The next toast was that of “ Our Gue.st,” proposed by, the chairman, who said he had been associated with Mr Harwood fur eight years, and there was no one who coul,d say a word against him. Ho had gathered together a fair band to go to Tiinaru. and in the next year at Dunedin they were placed fifth in the quickstep. Everywhere they went the pluck of the Band was spoken of in competing against big bands. Me thought it a sluuna that some effort was not made to keep Mr Harwood in the town by paying him an annual salary as they were going to do in Marinevii ko. They would be sorry to part with Mr Harwood also as a citizen. However, the Ban 1 wished that night to p-esent him with a small token of their appreciation.

He then prcsciffe 1 to Mr Harwood a neut pu tiaunleau with a silver plate suitably engraved on the side.

The toast was drunk with ra/.isigid honours.

Mr llarwoo !, who was greatly moved, assure ( them be wasgreatly paine I at parting from ihe Baud, and thanked them foi their good wishes. He had taken a keen interest in the Band, and the experience be had gained in it had more than repaid him foi any trouble ho bad taken. He iioped when he was gone the members would pull together ami keep the band up to the mark. They had a most energetic necretary in -Air 0. Dash, who clio everything in his power tor the good of the bam!. He wouh; always think of the kindness ol the members. His principal reason for leaving Waimare was that he had been in ill health, and the change might do him good. The toast of “ Oamara Band ami other Bands” was proposed by Mr B. Whitney and coupled with the name of Air D. Johnson (Oamaru). Air Johnson, in reply, said Mr Harwood was formerly a member of the Oamara Garrison Band, which had an unbeaten record.

Air Emerson proposed the next toast, that of “ Mis Mar worn!.” He the t handed to Mr Harwood a beautiful gull and greenstone anchor brooch .is a gift from the Waimate Brass Band.

The toast of “ Ex-bandsmen ” was proposed by .Mr E. li-jcvaa and responded to by Messrs G. Jackson and E. Preslaiul. Air C. Jackson said he took Mr Harwood to the band room when he first came, and had known and liked him as a player and conductor. He spoke of Mr Harwood’s ability to interpret music, and gave this the chief credit of the Waimate Band’s success at contests.

Mr E. Freeland endorsed Mr Jackson’s remarks. He was sorry Mr Harwood was going away. The toast of the “ Waimate Brass Band ” was proposed by Mr 0. Jackson, and coupled with the name of the chaimum and secretary-.

The chairman said the society had been very good to give them the chance, weakened as they were, of playing at the Caledonian sports, and ho thought it their duty to fulfil their engagement to the best of their ability. To this end he hoped some of the ex bandsmen would turn in and help in this effort. After Xmas Mr W. Evans would take over the baud and he hoped members would roll up and help him. He was pleased to see Mr Gohlstoue present. A deputation would wait on that gentlemen to ask him to conduct the Band and it was hoped he would accept the office. •

Mr 0. Dasli apoke in the same strain.

The toaafc of “The Press,” responded to by Messrs Wilson and Kilgour, and that of “ The Chairman,” proposed by Mr E. Presland, brought the proceedings to a close at ten o’clock.

Songs were sung during the evening by Messrs Fergusson, D. Johnson, M. McDonald and E. Sanders and a recitation given by Mr G. Dash. ■