GUARDING THE JUDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 25, 30 January 1926, Page 10

GUARDING THE JUDGE.

AT BANS CONTESTS. PROPOSAL TURNED DOWN. (3j Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WANGANUI, this day. "That when the judge has entered his tent before the draw takes place a policeman shall be placed in charge of the tent, and no official whatever shall be allowed -within ten yards of the tent during the progress of the contest." The i foregoing remit drew some pertinent remarks at the annual meeting of the I North Island Brass Bands' Association last evening. '"Make it ten miles!" said one delegate facetiously. A Prehistoric Idea. "It is getting back to the prehistoric days, and it would be a retrograde step to pass it," said the president, Mr. E. R. Holben. '"If we have not confidence in the judges and officials to run a contest, we should shut down. It is imperative sometimes, owinrr to some oversight, that the supervisor should get into touch with the judge, who. likewise, might want to get into touch with the supervisor. It would be a disgraceful resolution to pass. A delegate: It came from the South Island. ''We have tried to run our contests cleanly, , added the president. "We have always endeavoured to do so. and I don't like the idea of a policeman outside the judge's tent." Mr. Hall (YVanganuii said the remit came from a man who was riot a colonial, and for the reason that a similar provision had been adopted at the Crystal Palace and Bell Vuc contests. The president: We ran things differently in Xew Zealand. I don't think our bands would put up with what takes place there. They have three reception rooms in rotation, and bands are locked up in turn. You can imagine a band locked up in Xew Zealand on contest night. There would be a riot. No other man but a policeman would take on such a job. The remit was lost. Coaches From Kneller. "The time has arrived." said the president, "when the associated bands should take into consideration the advisability of getting- from England students from Kneller Hall who could be engaged by contract to come out as coaches to the North and South Island bands. Kneller Hall is the hall marK for conductors. It stands for all that is the brightest and best in British Army bands. This association should get from the different bands an expression of opinion about bringing out two or four Kneller Hall students, as there is always something to be learned from a first-class man." The president believed the Home Government would be glad to assist, as they sent out trainers for the Army and and, if the bands were prepared to assist, jrobatly something could be done. It was decided to communicate with Kneller Hall and see if students would be available for coaching in the Domi-