The Good Old Days

Radio Record, 3 June 1938, Page 14

The Good Old Days

Katkorai Remembers Its Antiquity, lis Funny Stories, lis Palmy Days 68 a ane Hopes

Special to the "Recor 9 by

C. H.

FORTUNE

OMEHOW or other bands aren’t what they were. When | was investigating the history ut! Kaikorai Band the other week, they told me that the famous old combination was well back on the road to health after a long illness-but, for all that, | can’t see even the keenest bandsman doing what Kaikorai’s drummer did in 1904-beating the skin off his hand rather than admit he had dropped his drumstick. It happened at the Palmerston North contest duriug the Quickstep Competition. To stop and pick up that dropped stick would have meant disaster. So the drummer just clenched the heroic fist and carried on. By the end of the march there was no skin on the back of the hand. But Kaikorai wou! There are some good stories available of those pulmy days. At one contest a certain player wus unable to play his part to the satisfaction of Mr Laidlaw. the conductor. The player was distressed ut having to stand down, and to save his face with rival buudsmen to whom he had been boasting as to what "his band" was going to do, it was decided to Jet him take his place on the night of the concert. So that le would uot upset the combination a cork was inserted in his instrument, rnd so he played-silently and full of pride Humorists and Musicians T the New Plymouth contest, 1902, a veruetist in the solo competition was making an indifferent effort. The accompanist was so disgusted that he "walked out" in the middle of the recital. As soon as the soloist saw what had happened, he bowed to the audience, placed his cornet to his mouth. and played himself off the stage with the "Dead March in Saul." Two players were very nervous about making their debut in a solo competition in another contest. So one said to the other, "Jack, if I break down in my solo, you rush in with a bucket of water and sing out, ‘Fire? " But for all the humour, real musicians were made by Kaikorai in those days. Kaikorai’s proud boast is that it is the oldest: properlyeoustituted band in New Zealand. It was formed in 18s]. and the first conductor was Mr. T. Chapman, outstanding ecornetist of his day. oo True, there were other bands before the Kaikorai, ov perhaps it would be better to say. "musical combinations," They mostly flourished on the wild and woolly goldfields. The Green Island Band was properly constituted a little

befure the Kaikorai, but it did not live long. Mr. Chapman established the Katkorai, and he was succeeded as conductor by Mr. E. Stratton, another brilliant cornetist. BANDS had a good following in the south in those days, and the earliest.contests were all held in. the South Island. The first contest under the auspices ot the new New Zealand Band Association was held at Dunedin in 1891. In 1892 the first contest’ held at Wellington saw Kaikorai carry off the third prize. and the following year at Christchurch it tied with the Wellington Garrison for second place. Tnvereargill Garrixon Band won at Invercargill in 1894, Kaikorai second. bm unexpectediy Kaikorai was awarded first prize, for it wa proved that Invercargill Garrison had conunitted a breach of, the rules. The band was in the running at every contest affer that, being awarded secouds aud thirds regularly. and obtained an bayaurable third in the North Island contest, and the largest to date, held at New Plymouth in love. Another Cornetist iT was now that the Kaikorai Band lid its third change of conductor. Mr, G. B. Laidlaw, "frae Bonnie NScotland,’ and, believe it or not, another fine cornetist, took over from Mr. Stratton. Under his couductorship the band participated in 11 contests, aud was only twice unplaced. In those days the band was incredibly keen. Practice Wus a saered rite. Mr. Laidlaw: resigned. from the band in 1918, and was followed by Mr. H, Davie. He had been a member almost since the beginning, and us a tenor-born player bad triumphed iu many contests. My, Davie was only one of several highly successfui solo players. My informaut, Mr. Kerr, wou the Domiuion cornet championship in 1905, a distinct honour, The baud has a roll, too lengthy fo enumerate (Continued on p. 38.)

The Good Old Days KAIKORAI‘S CHALLENGE

(Continued from page 14). here, of outstanding soloists. Championship honours have been won on every instrument to side drum. Under Mr. Davie’s conductorship the band competed at Ballarat for a Second, and though, as a body, it was not successful, it won the septet competition. At Dunedin, in 1920, it tied with Wanganui Garrison for first place, and won the marching contest. On two former occasions, at Palmerston North, 1904, and Christchurch, 1912, the band was piloted to victory in marching by Mr. Davie. Mr. J. Paterson conducted, following Mr. Davie’s retirement in 1922. Severhl changes of conductor followed. Wr. A Vallis and Mr. BE, Franklyn taking charge until 1929, when Mr. T. J. KirkBurnnand wielded the baton, WITH Mr. Kirk-Burnnand’s retirement, the band fell on evil days. Interest seemed to have yanisked, Members left and joined other bands, M. de Rose, well-known in New Zerland musical circles, did his bit in those years toward putting the band on a sound basis again, but he could not obtain the necessary co-operation. The old spirit of comradeship was gone. Financial support was lackine. Nobody seemed to care. The spectre of bankruptey loomed large. Then Harry Osborne, formerly conductor of the Ashburton Municipal Band, took charge. Shortly after that there was a change in management control. Mr. J, 8S. Douglas was appointed secretary, and Mr. E. T. Moller, became president. What Dunedin miusical circles owe to this latter man is another story. Someday it may weil be told. Mr, Moller and Mr. Douglas arranged a garden fete in the beautiful grounds of Sir John Roberts’s home at Littlebourne. That was two or three years ago, and it marked the turning point in the fortunes of the Kaikorai Band. Me. OSBORNE is quietly determined to restore the Kaikorai Band to its rightful place in the sun. He was very reticent when I called to see hiin, but he is a retiring man. For all that he could not hide his sincerity, nor his earnest wish that the band shall once again be a force to be reckoned with. He wants the band to again be ecatled "a very good band." He seems to be the man for the job. He piloted the Ashburton Band to several B grade successes, During thie war he conducted the Wellington Regimental Band overseas. He was selecte ed to go to the Kneller Hall in Middiesex to be given special instruction. Not many men have that honour thrust upon them, as those familiar with the history of the Royal Military School of Musie will know. . If you have listened to its broadcasts recently from 4YA you must haye realised that the band has improved out of sight. For the first time for many years it has a full quota of 30 players. For the first time for many years the band is again to participate in an A grade contest, and is now rehearsing, getting ready for Christchurch next contest.