HIBERNIAN BAND.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 2, 26 March 1920, Page 11

HIBERNIAN BAND.

SOCIAL EVENING. A very successful social evening was held in the Eriendly Societie's Hall on Wednesday last, when the supporters of tne band assembled to express their appreciatlon of ihe recent successes at the contest. The president (Mr Herh. Giace), said he was glad to see the band uphold the dignity of Southland. This was a fact not fully appreciated by the public. The band had staxted from a small beginning and was now able to hold its own and was a force to be reckoned with. Some of the successful features of th_- band was the position gained by a number of its members during the recent contest. The first prize was won by the folJbwing : — E Flat Base, J. Baxter. B. Flat Cornet (amateur) Bud. Wills. B. Flat Cornet (championship) BifH Wills. Trorrbone Solo, Arlhur Wills. No. I, Quartette, P. G. Kimbel, R. Wills, S. Burtenshaw and B. Wills, second prize. This retlected great credit on the conductor (Mr Wills) and the loyal co-opera-tion of the band and conductor. The first toast of the evening was "His Majesty the King." Mr Frcd Suet's bright and breezy song soon warmed everybody up to the enjoyment of the evening. Toast "The Bibernian Band," proposed by Mr Coliins, responded to by Mr R. Wills. Mr Coliins said the name of Hibernia stod out in ihe armals of history. The early history of ihe conntry showed that they were the foremtilst people in Europe as far as science and art was concerned. They looked upon music as "Heaven's Delight." The first meeting to commence the band was in the old Catholic schoolroom in October, 1904, and it was not until 1908 that they were able to buy instruments. In August 1908 the band made its first appear - ance and in November, 1909, competed in ihe Invercargill competitions gaining £15, fust prize. At Dunedin in 1910 they were second in the Quickstep, prize £15, lying with Woolston for music with 99 marks out of a possible 100. At tlie Contest in Christchurch, 1912, they were 3rd in B. Grade and 4th in A. Grade, Quickstep prize £20. At the Dunedin Contest the same year, 3rd B. Grade, prize £25. In 1913 the band purchased a new set of instruments costing £620 which was now paid. Ihe same year it contested in Livercargill being first in B. Grade and won the "Boosey" Shield. 4th in A. Grade, prize £12, also 2nd in Quickstep, £15. In 1914 the band contested at the Auckland Exhibition being 1st, B. Grade, £120, and won the North Is'and Shield, and 1st in the Quickstep, prize £20 ; B. Wills wimiing the Sopra.no Ccrnet Championship. The year 1915 was also a successful one for the band. At Christchurch they succeeded in being 4th A. Grade, prize £25, second in the Quickstep, £15, and B. Wills won the Soprano

Cornet Championship. T. Cavanagh won Ej. Flat Bass Championship and A. \V iRs 2ni in Trombone Championship. At Dunedin in 1920, 4th A. Grade, £50, after beating aJl bands in First Selection, also 2nd in Quartette. Duxing the war the band dikl an enormous amount of playrng (gratis). Mr Wills responded to the toast detaiiing many interesting reminisceiLees regarding the early history of the band. The band might have done better at the iast contest but they would do their best to win the contest at Nelson next year. The standing of the band in the town was good also their relations with other bands. The- spirit was good and the career of tbe soloists had been exceptionally good and very few bands in Anstralasia were favoured with such eonsistency. It was gratifying to know that their efforts had been so much appreciat-ed. H« thanked the president and supporters for their loyal support and generous treatment. The next toast of the evening was "Tha Returned Soldiers," proposed by Mr Daniels, responded to by Mr Blake. "The Conductor," proposed by J. Brokenshire, responded to by Mr Wills. "Soloists," prcposed by A. Keaney, responded to by J. Baxter and Wills Bros. Toast to the Secretary (Mr Daniels), for the valuable services rendered. A fair amount was eollected as the nueleous of a fund to enable the band to go to Nelson next year. Mr Sutherland and several others spoke in very appreciative temis of the band and of Mr Wills. In fact, there is no doubt that the band stands liigh in the estimation of its supporters aird its up to th« pecple of Invercargill to uphold tlie band which upholds the hohour of Southland whether it is the Hibernian, Dominion or any other band, They all are worthy of our support and appTeeiation.