The Bond Contest.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 131, 11 June 1885, Page 4

The Bond Contest.

(To the Editor.)

Sin,—ln your paper of Tuesday night appears an effusion signed "S. Philpott," championing the claims of the Garrison Band to the premier position amongst Auckland bands. Mr Philpott evidently is not up in tho subject on which he attempts to write, or else he handles the truth very careleesly. He leads off his arguments with a false statement, saying "thatat the band contest held at tho North Shore in March, 1882, the Hobson Band, though heavily handicapped by 10 (?) of its best players being away at Oargaville, was placed before the Artillery Band." Mr Phi'pott's memory must be failing him, or he would Burely remember that the Hobson Band was never placed at all. The band that was placed first by the judge 3in the above competition was the Thames Scottish; nnd a more surprised lot of musicians it would be hard to find. The reason for the verdict was that the Thames Band was the only braes band that competed, and therefore the pr\e was awarded t j it, as there was no clarionet player in its rauks. Ihis opinion was shared in by a majority of the judges, the most efficient of the trio, however, dissenting. Mr Philpott makes another etal ement equally at variance with the tiuth. He says that the A.G.B. is tbe only rocognis-rl Volunteer Band in the district If tbe A.G.B. is a Volunt er band, how is it that the different Volunteer etrps have to pay so much per annum towards that band? I grant tho A.G.B. does not receive any remuneration from tbe Government, but the remuneration comes all the same. Mr Philpott being no musician, " cannot grasp the idea that it follows, as a matter of cowse, that a violinist must be. a competent judge of tho merits of a brass baud ;" and yet this same violinist is recognised all over the civilised world as a thorough musician, an efficient leader, and an excellent composer of orchestral and band music. Mr Philpott concludes his remarkable letter by a backhanded slap at tho Salvation Army Band. Let me tell Mr Philpott that in the opinion of a good many judges (although I can't say I share in that opi-i-'on) even his proteges would have to take a back seat if pitied against the "Blood and -Fire" musicians. In conclusion, I may remark that I have no interest to serve in advocating the claims of the Artillery Bant.. I don't belong to it or to any other band ; but I want to see Auckland represented by its best band in the approaching contest at Wellington. If the A G.B. is not good enough to accept the challenge thrown out by the Aitillery Band, then I ask, what right have they to represent the leading musical city in the colony ? Apologising for taking up so much of your space, I am, etc., P. H. Wilson.