Richmond forms a brass band

In August 1906 a meeting took place at the Fire Brigade Hall to discuss the idea of forming a brass band in Richmond. The level of enthusiasm was good with outside help being offered.

Following the discussion, a proposal was made by G. Wearing that a brass band be formed with a minimum of 20 active members and the proposal was unanimously approved.

Officers of the band were elected with Mr A. Meyer appointed honorary secretary, J. Hunt treasurer, and committee members J. Cameron, J. Litte, G. Wearing, J. Papps, S. Coleman, D Pollack and Mr Sutton. Subscription was set at 2 shillings 6 pence on joining and then the same each month.

To secure instruments, members canvassed the Richmond community and businesses for financial support. Next was a venue to hold practices, so a deputation consisting of the new chairman and secretary contacted the A & P Association to ask for the use of the grandstand for band practices. This was approved with a generous offer of no charge.

The band began on 5 November, 1906, and, at that time, only four members had previously played a wind instrument. Quotes were received for new instruments, but they must have been too expensive as the committee decided to take steps to obtain secondhand instruments. In the end, the instruments cost £110 and another £20 for other equipment. Public subscriptions raised £50. In October, a set of 21 “Boosey” instruments were purchased from Chas. Beggs and Co of Dunedin.  Mr J. Cameron offered to teach the members free of charge.

Their first endeavour to present to the public was in early 1907 at Stoke. Under the control of conductor Cameron, the musical items were well received, and the critique suggested that with more practice they could develop into a first-class band. Events were frequent with the 26 strong band playing at the Brightwater swimming sports, Richmond, Motupiko sports day, and Stoke and Wakefield Farmers Union field day. In September 1907, the band held a concert in aid of raising £108 for a uniform. The band, with uniforms, were invited to play at the A & P Show in November, this being the biggest venue and crowd they had played to, but received a critical report placed in the newspaper from an attendee stating that the band’s music was distinctly bad and the playing at times was painful to listen to.

This brought about a flurry of responses in the band’s favour.

In December 1908, practices shifted to the Oddfellows Hall two nights per week for a cost of £5 per annum. Cameron resigned as bandmaster soon after and was replaced by Mr Berryman, (bandmaster of the Nelson Garrison Band).

A new set of Besson instruments were purchased in May 1910  and were displayed at May’s store for the public to see. A year later the band went into the doldrums. The president, Dr Hamilton, had passed away, the secretary left the district, and the replacement bandmaster had also resigned in November.

It was not until January 1911 that Mr Mayo filled the position of conductor of the remaining 20 playing members for around nine months when G. Mockler of Nelson took over. Mockler was able to turn the brass band around and reviews were very favourable.