NATIONAL BAND CONTEST

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28870, 15 April 1959, Page 12

NATIONAL BAND CONTEST

March 5 Tentative Date Christchurch will be host to more than 1000 bandsmen and their supporters for the next national band contest, to be held probably during the week-end of March 5, 1960. This date was decided, subject to the Civic Theatre and Lancaster Park being available, at a public meeting called by the Mayor (Mr G. Manning) last evening. The contest would cost about £2400 to hold, and half the profits, if any, would go to the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association, and the other half to competing bands, said the president of the association (Mr R. E. Belgrave). The contest will be held over four or five days. It was suggested that the contest be held over a week, but there were objections to this. "The last contest we held here was held over seven days, yet we just managed to balance the budget. Since we have had the last three contests over a shorter time there have been bigger entries,” said Mr Belgrave. Lancaster Park had been "pencilled in” for the contest on the week-end of March 5 provided there were no cricket matches at that time, said Mr N Billcliff. “I know that contests are a big event no matter where they are held, and a great deal of work will be necessary. We want to make the band contest a success in every way,” said Mr Manning. The meeting formed itself into a general committee and will appoint sub-committees and decide the date for the contest at its next meeting. Officers elected were:—

President, Mr Manning; vicepresidents, Messrs J. L. Hay and E. B. Sutton; chairman, Mr N. Billcliff; secretary, Mr L. F. de Berry.