N.Z. BRASS BANDS’ CONTEST

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29067, 2 December 1959, Page 10

N.Z. BRASS BANDS’ CONTEST

Admission Prices Fixed

“I must impress upon the committee the need for ‘band fathers.’ They are of primary importance in the smooth running of the contest,” said Mr V. R. Hill, chairman of the New Zealand Chaffipion Brass Bands Contest Committee, at a meeting of the committee. “Before this meeting 14 men had undertaken to act as ‘band fathers’. However, approximately 30 more are required,” Mr Hill said.

“Band fathers” act as public relations officers for visiting bands. They assist their allotted bands by arranging such things as practice (with the time-tables associated with them) and transport. The chairman emphasised the urgent need for such men, and wanted their allocation completed before Christmas.

Forty-four bands have entered in the contest to be held in Christchurch from March 5 to March 7. With the exception of 12 (who have not applied) they will be accommodated in city hotels for the whole period. Difficulty has been experienced in obtaining suitably premises for band practices, and it has been decided to approach school committees for the loan of rooms over the week-end. The contests proper will be held in Trinity Hall, the Civic Theatre, and at Lancaster Park. The estimated attendance at the Civic Theatre is more than 1000 on both Friday and Saturday; at Lancaster Park, 6000 for the quickstep on Saturday; and 4500 at the hymn test in the park on Sunday. Admission will be 4s and 3s, and at Lancaster Park children Is. Season tickets at one guinea will give admission to all performances, with reservations for the quickstep, hymn test, and A grade contests. The total revenue is estimated at £2340 with expenditure at £2385, leaving the committee with a debit of £44 ss.