Ladysmith City Band Play At The Agricultural Grounds

Ladysmith City Band is shown here in front of spectators at the Agricultural Hall fairgrounds.

In November 1902, as reported in the Ladysmith Ledger, the band was widely admired by the locals while being conducted under the direction of Thomas Morgan, despite a variety of challenges:

“THE CITY BAND

Enjoyable Smoking Concert Saturday Evening

Last Saturday night the members of the Ladysmith City Band and a few friends gathered in the pavilion, and had a splendid time for a few hours, the extempore programme turning out to be one of the best every heard in this town … the band proved conclusively to all who were present Saturday night that it is a remarkably clever organization, playing wonderfully well for the time that the members have been able to practise together. The progress made under the leadership of Mr. Thomas Morgan, temporary headmaster, reflects credit on him and on the band, and when it is considered that the instruments which the bandsmen use are old and battered and far from satisfactory in tone, the performance of the band is surprising. … They will soon have a band that will make the Ladysmith name famous and respected. This is not a matter for a few citizens to carry on their shoulders. Let us all ‘chip in’, if it is only a nickel or a dime.”