Presentation to Mr Coverdale

A very pleasing ceremony took place last evening at the Criterion Hotel, the occasion being the presentation to Mr Coverdale by the Sale Borough Band, of a large picture containing photographs of the members, the work of Mr F. Cornell, Foster Street, the portrait of Mr Harper, the bandmaster, occupying the centre of the group. About 18 gentlemen were present, and Mr Geo. H. Wise, the mayor of Sale, made the presentation on behalf of the band. The whole tone of the proceedings proved that the members of the band heartily recognised the importance of Mr Coverdale's services, and that they held that gentleman, personally, in the highest esteem.

The Mayor, who occupied the chair, said the band were desirous of making a presentation to Mr Coverdale, as a slight acknowledgment of the valuable services he rendered in establishing it in Sale. The presentation, he remarked, took the form of photographs of members of the band in this frame. They knew, as every-body who had anything to do with the band did, that the existence of it in Sale was almost, if not wholly, due to what he (Mr Coverdale) had done in connection with it. (Cheers.) What was a noticeable fact to one coming here some years ago was the want of a band. He (the speaker) felt the want directly, and he was sure that every-body who came from Melbourne, where musical societies were so general, felt the same want. They knew how warmly Mr Coverdale had taken the matter up, and notwithstanding all the discouragements and obstacles he met with from time to time, he persevered, and the result was that they had now in existence a band which they need not be ashamed of. (Cheers). The band had certainly to sail through a good deal of rough water, but he thought it was now fairly established, and he was certain it would go on progressing. Anyone who had an interest in it would wish to see it flourish, and the extent to which it had done so and progressed was entirely due to Mr Coverdale. Many a time the funds had been low, and he was sure no one would have gone to the same trouble and spent the same amount of time as Mr Coverdale had done in seeing it through the rough experience through which it had passed. The public would be glad to learn that the presentation had been made, and it had come from those best qualified to know. The mayor then presented Mr Coverdale with the testimonial, which was inscribed:- Presented to James Coverdale, Esq., by the members of the Sale Borough Band, March, 1886. The performing of this duty, he said, gave him much pleasure. He was convinced that while Mr Harper stuck to them, the band would improve, and he hoped they would not think of their little discouragements and mishaps, but would let them all slip by, and the band would then retain its place as one of the most successful institutions of Sale. (Cheers.)

Mr Coverdale, on rising, remarked that he could not say this was the first time he had set eyes upon the picture, for he had been admiring it in Mr Cornell's window, though he had no idea that it was coming to him. He did not know what to say, as he could not find words to thank them. He, how-ever, must confess that if he had had to struggle to keep the band in existence, the bandsmen had always helped, and had it not been for them, it would have fallen through. They had certainly met with discouragements, and had to put up with rebuffs, but he thought the greatest wonder was that when, about twelve months ago, he was about to give it up, they would not allow him to do so, and made some remark which induced him to go into it again with renewed energy, and now he was happy to say they had a band which they need not be ashamed of. He was deeply sensible of the fellow feeling that had existed between the bandsmen and himself, and he was especially pleased at this recognition on their part, in as much as it showed they could appreciate what he had done. It showed that they understood one another, and he hoped they would continue to do so, and be linked one to another. In his opinion the present was only the beginning of what a band would be. (Cheers.)

Mr Harper, the bandmaster, said that since he came to Sale the last time he found the band greatly improved, and he had no doubt that if they all stuck together and had a little more private practice, which they really needed, they would next year take a prize at the forthcoming band contests— (hear, hear)—and he would do all he could to further its interests if the members would go hand in hand with him.

Mr Coverdale's health was then drunk with musical honours, to which that gentle-man suitably replied. Prosperity to the band, coupled with the name of the mayor, was also drunk, and responded to in appropriate terms by Mr Wise, who in the course of his remarks referred to the enjoyable moonlight excursions of the steamers, which, he said, not only afforded a pleasant evening, but were a valuable supplement to the funds of the club. He suggested that they be commenced earlier next season, so that people might have the benefit of them all through the summer.

The proceedings then terminated.