These photographs are a rare historical record of the Lower Hutt Band in 1863, also known as the 
Hutt Volunteers Band

The band was a vital part of early Lower Hutt social life. They performed at community "fetes," church fundraisers, and volunteer military events. In late 1863, they were notably "indispensable" at events like the fete for St. James Church and the Christ Church Preservation Society gatherings. At the time, Lower Hutt was a developing settler community, and the band members were mostly local farmers and tradesmen. The image is a fascinating historical montage of the Hutt District Band in 
1863-1866. Specifically, it is a copy of a framed commemorative photograph presented to the bandmaster, Nathaniel Valentine, in September 1866.
Based on historical records from the Hutt City Heritage and the inscription on the photo, here are the members shown:

Center Portrait: Nathaniel Valentine (Bandmaster). He was a former member of the 65th Regiment Band and a prominent hotelier in Lower Hutt.

Top Row (L to R): H. Moore, W. Copeland, T. Allen, 
J. Corbett (written as "Carbit")

Middle (Above center): J. Valentine (identified as John Dorset Valentine, 
then 11 years old) and C. Menzie

Middle (Flanking center): E. Hollard and C. Hollard

Bottom Section (Top row): W. Donnelly, D. Buick, 
W. Buick, J. Copeland

Bottom Section (Bottom row): J. Collett, J. Pitcher, Williams, J. Rumble

The Historical Inscription

The text in the center of the original (partially obscured) reads:

    "Presented to Mr. N. Valentine by the inhabitants of the Hutt District as a small but sincere token of their esteem, but more especially as an exponent of their sense of gratitude for his services voluntarily rendered in forming, instructing and conducting the Hutt Band to its present state of efficiency and usefulness. September, 1866." Many of these men were pioneering settlers whose names are now preserved in local street names (e.g., Buick St, Valentine St, Copeland St, and Donnelly St).