16th (Waikato) Regimental Band
**Article in Progress, April 2015**
The Hamilton Town Band became a military band in 1912, as an adjunct to the 16th (Waikato) Regiment Band. The regiment helped with funding and uniforms following the merger.
In 1914, the band acquired a set of silver instruments due to a grant from the Regiment, rather then the brass ones instruments they would have bought otherwise. In May that year they received their colours in a ceremony at Hautapu, a silken banner with "Ka whawhai tonu ake ake", the motto of the 16th (Waikato) Regiment. This is a quote from a speech by Rewi Maniapoto, who fought British forces at Orakau in the Waikato in 1864; when invited to surrender, he replied that he and his people would ‘fight for ever and ever’. In September, the band headed the funeral procession for the victims of the Huntly Mine Disaster. That year they also played at the Ngaruawahia Regatta.
In February 1916, a call was made for instrumentalists to join the Regiment Band, as 21 having volunteered, so many had gone to the front it was becoming increasingly difficult to supply a band at required functions. Only 5 members remained from the original band. In July 1916, discord was reported to have arisen between the bandmaster, A. Salter, and many members of the band, with 13 instrumentalists resigning. Only ten remained in the band. It was suggested that the members had lost confidence in Salter. The alleged "ringleader in the disaffection", Charles E. Scott, joined the Frankton Municipal Band, along with many of the others who resigned. He was transferred from the Hamilton Post Office to Auckland, on the advice of the Regiment to the Postmaster, in retribution. Questions were immediately raised regarding the ownership of the instruments. Official ceremonies were undertaken by the remnants of the Regiment band, combined with members of the Te Awamutu Regimental Band. The band began to play at the newly constructed Band Rotunda at Ferrymead.
By 1917, 23 band members had voluntarily enlisted. Said to have one of the finest sets of instruments in New Zealand. In August, fallout from the earlier dispute continued, with the Borough Council declaring the Frankton municipal Band as the Hamilton Municipal Band, rather than the Regimental Band. Court cases began, with Hamilton Town Band,
Hamilton Municipal Band, which was formerly called the Frankton Town Band.
Members
- A. Salter - Bandmaster, 1912-1917
- H. Salmon - cornet, 1914
- Arthur Haybittle - tenor horn, E Flat Horn, 1914: Senior Corporal, wounded at Dardanelles (Gallipoli), 1915
- T.F. Owrens - tenor horn, E Flat Horn, 1914
- J. Taylor - euphonium, 1914
- J. Cook - F Flat Bass, 1914
- William Allen - Flugel Horn, 1914: Bugler, wounded 1915
- A.E. Price - Drums, 1914
- Thomas Donovan - First Cornet: Private, d. 5 May 1915, at Dardanelles (Gallipoli)
- T.E. Rowe - E Flat horn: wounded 1915
- Herbert Victor Reading - First baritone: Private, d. 5 May 1915, at Dardanelles (Gallipoli)
- L. McKenzie - First Trombone: Private, wounded September 1915
- G. Stroud - Second Baritone: served
- N.J. Partridge - Flugel: served
- McMillan - served
- Meyer
- Cumming
- Pryor
- Guest
- Tuatara
- Jarrett
- Pass
- Robinson
- Clothier
- Charles E. Scott
Published Articles
- Patriotic Bandsmen; Waikato Regimental Ranks Depleted; Appeal for Instrumentalists, Waikato Times, 5 February 1916, p4
- Discordant Musicians; Regimental Band Dispute; Thirteen Members Resign, Waikato Times, 22 July 1916, p4
