THE BAND CONTEST.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2280, 11 November 1897, Page 9

THE BAND CONTEST.

WELLINGTON FIRST, KAIKORAI SECOND.

• * Oamaru, November 2. The annual band contest of the New Zealanc Bands' Association began to-day with thi quickstep competition. There was a largi attendance on the ground, between 2000 anc 3000 being present. The weather was beauti ful. The bands that competed were thi Kaikorai, Waimate, Timaru, Wellington, am Oamaru, and they played in this order. Thi judge of the music was Mr Otto Schwartz, an< of the military movements Major* Jowsey anc Headland and Captain Mahan The following is the order in which the bands were placed ie the QUICKSTEP COMPETITION. Points. Oamaru ... ... 146 Timaru 143 Wellington 140 Waimate \.. .130 .Kaikorai - - ... 120 At the annual meeting of the Bauds' Association this morning it was decided to leave the matter of arranging where' the next contest is to be held in the hands oi the Christcburcb ijands to ascertain if arrangements could be made for holding it in Christchurcb. It was decided to recommend that the next contest be Held five weeks earlier or after the Nat Year holidays. I", '-. November 3. .''The solo competitions were.contiouad to-day, and four events were got eff as follows :: — •

,BB Flit Bass — C. Davie (Kaikorai). 40. points, 1 ; C. Harrison ( Ciinaru), 35 piints, 2 ; G. Croxford (Dunedin Engineer*), 37 points, 3. There were six competitors. "E Flat Bans. — D. Bee (Oamaru), 40 points, 1 ; J. Ablett (Christchurch), 39 points, 2; W. Cough.an (North-East Valley), 38 pointf, 3 ; H. J. Dixori (Wellington), 37 points ; B. Graham (Oamaru), 37 points ; A. R. Millar (Uuaedin Navals), 35 points ; J. Chapman (Ashburton), 33 points. Trombone Solo.— R. Pettitt (Kaikorai), 38 points, 1 ; W. J. Siddall (Invercargill), 37 points, 2; J. Cameron (Timaru), 36 points, 3. Nine competitors. Euphonium Solo. — E. Smith (North-East Valley) and J. O'Brien (Dunedin Navals), equal, 1 and 2 ; D. Boyd (Dunedin Engineem;, 3. Six competitors.

The first of the contest ' pieces was played to-night, all the bands — Oamarn, Wellington, Kaikorai, Timaru, North-East Valley, and Waimate— -finishing. The North-East Valley played first, followed by Timaru, Oamaru, Kaikorai, Wairnate, and Wellington. The judge's decision is sealed till after the second test piece is played to-morrow night, and will then be made known. The three bands that played best were the Oamaru, Wellington, and Kaikorai, and the ...winner will, according to the public estimate of the playing, be chosen from one of these if they play to-morrow night up to to-night's exhibition. » ± , November 4. , The solo competitions were concluded this '-sftfernoon with the" 'following results :—: — Baritone Solo.— J. Doig (North- Kast Valley), 1 ; G. Forrest (Wellington), 2 ; C. J3ie (Oamaru), 3. There-were four competitors. , ' ETHat Comet Solo.— G, Buckley (Wellington), 1 ; A. -Schnack (Oamaru), 2 ; C. M^Gkshan (Kaikofai), 3. Four competitors. '■ -E Flat Horn Solo.— J. M'Keney (Dunedin Navals). 1 ; H. Davie (Kaikorai), 2 ;-A. Jones (North-East Valley), 3. Eight competitors.

There was a crowded attendance at the Theatre Royal to listen to the playing of the selection "Meyerbeer" by the different bands. The playing concluded about 10 30. but it was some time after thii before the judge's decision was made known. The following are the results : —

The decision was well received. The judge in bis remarks said the bands had played Meyerbeer indifferently. Wellington was the only band that came near a proper conception of the piece.

Oberon. [. Wellington 79 !. Kaikorai 72 (. Oamaru SO L 'limaru 76 >. iviorth East Valley ... 63 >. Waimatn ... ... 50 M leyeriieer. 78 - 74 — 64 — 63 — 63 — 55 — Total 157 146 144 139 131 105