Events from the Past
1883 James Cowie was secretary and John Mahrer treasurer. The Band had been kept busy playing engagements and running excursions to New Westminster, Comox and otherplaces.1894 John D. Halverson was appointed leader.
1893 The band needed some new instruments. A committee was chosen to raise the money. Nine hundred and thirty-two dollars was the amount required. After canvassing thee coal company and citizens, they were still $250 short and Wm. M. Dangton, a well known citizen, very generous gave a cheque for that amount. The Band was thus enabled to purchase a set of silver-plated instruments from J.W. Pepper, U.S.A. E.C. Gibson, who assisted the band as a boy, was made a member. The band was often called upon to supply music for charitable purposes. They readily responded.
August 1896 Ralph Smith (late MP) engaged the band, on behalf of the miners, to accompany them on an excursion to Vancouver
1897 The band chartered a boat and ran an excursion to Seattle for the 4th of July celebration. The band had an engagement to play at a concert. Everyone has an enjoyable time. On the 13th of July E.C. Gibson was appointed secretary. The Klondyke rush took place about this time. Several Nanaimo men who decided to try their luck in the Yukon were given a hearty send-off by the band and citizens.
1898 This was another busy year for the band, running moonlight excursions. They also visited Seattle and Vancouver, besides playing quite a number of engagements.
1902 Officers at this time were:
Leader: A. Malacord
President: R. Rivers
Secretary: J. Lowden Jr.
Treasurer: A. Dixen
In May of this year iri s noted that the band assisted by giving a benefit concert for the suffers of the Fernie disaster, which happened about that time. The band played at the celebration of the laying of the keel of the battleship 'Nebraska' in Seattle amd they also played for the Provincal Exhibition in Victoria.
1903 Mr. J.D. Halverson resumed the leadership once more and E. C. Gibson secretary.
From 1905 - 1910 the band was successively directed by Messrs. J. Lowden, H. Nicholson and John Green
1911 About this time Mr. W.J. Smith was appointed leader. The band was kept fairly busy playing outdoor concerts on the waterfront. Mr. Smith left to take up a position in Victoria in 1912. The band carried on very successfully until 1916 when they were disorganized owing to the leader, Mr. H. Allen and the majority of the bands men going overseas with the 143rd battalion to serve in the Great War. It is pleasing to relate that those who were left behind worked continuously and unselfishly for the various patriotic and Red Cross funds promoted during the war.
1917 Mr. John Lewis succeeded to leadership and carried on until 1919 when Mr. W. J. Smith returned from Victoria and resumed charge. It was decided at this time to raise money to buy new instruments. Several concerts were staged and a nice sum raised, which was generously duplicated by the Western Fuel Company, enabling the band to purchase a number of Besson & Co. first-class silver plated instruments.
1921 A band contest at Ladysmith. Open to all amateur bands in the Province, was won by the Nanaimo band under the leadership of Mr. John Lewis. Shortly after this Mr. Lewis left Nanaimo for the U.S. and Mr. Allen was appointed leader pro tem.
1922 The band again won the Provincial championship at Ladysmith. They made history this year by winning the contest at New Westminster Exhibition and making a clean sweep in all events, gaining 207 points; their nearest rival gaining 158 points.
1923 The officers of the band at this time are: Leader - W.J. Smith Asst. Leader - Ike Curruthers President - G. Moore Secretary - J. Spruston Treasurer - H. Peters This was a very busy year for the band. They played six concerts for the city council and nine indoor concerts, besides several engagements. They also attended the New Westminster contest and ran out easy winner, scoring 144 points, their nearest rivals gaining 103 points.
1911 About this time Mr. W.J. Smith was appointed leader. The band was kept fairly busy playing outdoor concerts on the waterfront. Mr. Smith left to take up a position in Victoria in 1912. The band carried on very successfully until 1916 when they were disorganized owing to the leader, Mr. H. Allen and the majority of the bands men going overseas with the 143rd battalion to serve in the Great War. It is pleasing to relate that those who were left behind worked continuously and unselfishly for the various patriotic and Red Cross funds promoted during the war.
1917 Mr. John Lewis succeeded to leadership and carried on until 1919 when Mr. W. J. Smith returned from Victoria and resumed charge. It was decided at this time to raise money to buy new instruments. Several concerts were staged and a nice sum raised, which was generously duplicated by the Western Fuel Company, enabling the band to purchase a number of Besson & Co. first-class silver plated instruments.
1921 A band contest at Ladysmith. Open to all amateur bands in the Province, was won by the Nanaimo band under the leadership of Mr. John Lewis. Shortly after this Mr. Lewis left Nanaimo for the U.S. and Mr. Allen was appointed leader pro tem.
1922 The band again won the Provincial championship at Ladysmith. They made history this year by winning the contest at New Westminster Exhibition and making a clean sweep in all events, gaining 207 points; their nearest rival gaining 158 points.
1923 The officers of the band at this time are: Leader - W.J. Smith Asst. Leader - Ike Curruthers President - G. Moore Secretary - J. Spruston Treasurer - H. Peters This was a very busy year for the band. They played six concerts for the city council and nine indoor concerts, besides several engagements. They also attended the New Westminster contest and ran out easy winner, scoring 144 points, their nearest rivals gaining 103 points.