THE RECENT BAND CONTEST.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11510, 17 February 1903, Page 4

THE RECENT BAND CONTEST.

THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY TO MR HUME. (PRESS ASSOCIATION- TELBO—alt.) PAIiMERSTON NORTH, February 15. In an interview with a representative oJ the "Ms—awatu Daily Times," Mr M. U>hen, president of the North Island Brass Band Association, replies to the caustic criticism on the Association by Mr Ord Hume, the English judge of the contest. Mr Cohen pays a tribute to Mr Hume's qualifications, but said the unwarranted attack came as a great surprise in view of Mr Hume's remark that the recent contest was the best conducted he had ever beeassociated with—a contest entirely ruled and governed by the rules of the Association, which Mr Hume so severely condemns. Unfeigned surprise is expressed by Mr Cohen at Mr Hume's remarkable statement that if the Association's object is the advancement of the brass band music the Association is n»t achieving its object. He.says the advancement must be comparative, and any one who has followed the development of the Association must admit the splendid improvement of the affiliated bands. The statement is all the more remarkable in view of the fulsome praise accorded the Wellington Garrison performance, which was said to have ranked with the noted bauds of England. Mr Hume said, in referring to the performance:—"As good as I can ever possibly expect to hear, perfect brass band playing." Is not suchi playing, asks Mr Cohen, an evident sign of advancement? Referring to Mr Hume's statement that the rules of the Association should be biokeh, and were broken by himself, Mr Cohen says:—"One does not expect a judge, who by accepting such a position tucitly agrees to be bound by the rules affecting the appointment, to glorify in a wanton breach " Mr Cohen completely refutes the statement that the Association is not representative, and is controlled by one band. The rules, which some could not have read, provides for the annual meeting of delegates—two from each band- affiliated—who" elect from among themselves the whole officers of the Association, who hold office for twelve months only, and the' officers number thirty-five. Of" these only ten reside in Wellington, two only (one a vice-president) being members of the Wellington Garrison Band. The Executive Committee consist of ten members from all parts of the Norfh Island, only one of which is a member of the Wellington Garrison Band. The contests are absolutely controlied by a local Committee appointed by citisens in the town. Great things were expected of Mr Hume as an adviser and educator. It was anticipated, that the faults of management would be pointed out and assistance given to amend. them. All the Association received was a very bald—not to say unmannerly criticism —conveyed to an interviewer, based upon a distorted knowledge of the facte or an entire ignorance thereof. Mr Cohen declared his intention of replying to Mr Hume through the "Home Band Journal." He much regretted that Mr Hume's remarks lent colour to the assumption that his better judgment was warped by a private disturbance, with which Mr Cohen had nothing to do, no more than he had with their difference of ppfnion as to the necessity for upholding the dignity of the judge's position, and Mr ' Hume's method of so doing.