Chapter XXI.
THE TOWN BAND—THE FIRE BRIGADE.
THE original town band was inaugurated about 1869 and disbanded about 1879. It was one of the most valued institutions of its day, heading all processions, and being an essential feature of every public gathering. The members did not wear uniform, and their “civvies” were of a variety of styles. Its repertoire was not extensive, but its audiences preferred the old well-known tunes as, in our hearts, many of us still do. Those of us who were then young remember those parades, we have but to close our eyes to visualise such outstanding events in our early years.
The names of some of the bandsmen were:—Bandmaster, James Marris; Drum-major, Max Knudson; Cornopean, Edwin Perrett; Drummer, H. E. West; Side-drummer, Jesse Humphries; other players, Edward Baulke, Albert Trumper, Henry Rosenberg, John Marris, Albert Marris, C. Craddock, Arthur King, “Schmidt the fiddler,” W. Hampton, C. Holmes.
The Band was resuscitated about 1906, some of the members of this later Band being John Hampton, Alf. Parsons, —. Dwyer, Frank Higgins, J. Woodcock, P. Walsh, E. Brophy, Hartill, Sinclair, Bowes, J. Collins, Price, Kilmartin, Mitchell, Hanna, Woodger, Carson.
THE FIRE BRIGADE.
This was a volunteer body formed on 22nd July, 1869, the Provincial Council making in that year a grant of £150 towards the cost of procuring a fire-engine. A further grant was made of £75 in 1870, one of £50 in 1872, of £75 in 1873, and of £50 in 1874. The members of the first Fire Brigade
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