BAND CONTEST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7732, 27 February 1909, Page 4

BAND CONTEST.

„ HASTINGS, February 26. Last; evening the first test of the A and B grades was held on the racecourse. The grandstand and lawn were beautifully illuminated by electric light. Splendid weather prevailed, the night being still and calm, with a clear atmosphere and an early but bright moon. The attendance was large, fully A 2OOO people being present. Six B grade bands and three A grade bandsj came up for the judge's decision, and the test selection in the A grade was "Songs of Scotland," and in the B grade "II Crociato in Egitto." The following are the awards: Maximum points 200. B Grade—Hastings 163, Petone 160, Gisborne 150, Stratford 146, Hawera 140, Manaia 135. As was expected in the A grade, the Wanganui Garrison Band was an easy first, being allotted 194 points; Newton (Auckland) was second with 181 points, and Palmerston North.third with 178. The judge remarked tliat this test was ■ the best he had heard in the dominion. He had hot heard the winning band before, and was very pleased to have had the opportunity of coming to Hastings to hear it. The solos had been exceptionally good, and he would have liked to have given full marks, but slips were made. The E-flat horns were judged this morning, there being nine competitors. The following are the results: A. Taylor (Newtown), 86 points, 1; J. May (Hastings), 81, 2; B. May (Hastings), 80, 3. The twelfth annual meeting of the North Island Brass Bands Association is being held to-day, Mr M. Cohen presiding. All the affiliated bands are represented. The president expressed appreciation to Hastings for the excellent arrangements and the success of the contest. Referring to the complaint of bandsmen that the contest extended over too long a period, he expressed sympathy with members who could not leave their work, and said that he was of opinion that a shorter programme would enable more bands to attend < contests. The business will occupy the delegates all the afternoon. The weather is fine for the second test selection to-night, ' ' .