BAND CONTEST

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 135, 4 March 1929, Page 12

BAND CONTEST

ST. KILDA WINS “A” GRADE QUICKSTEP “B” GRADE TO HASTINGS Dominion Special Service. Wanganui, March 3. There were about 10,000 spectators at Cook’s Gardens this afternoon when the annual quickstep competition was decided. There was much excellent marching. The bands left at regular intervals from the Town Bridge and marched up Victoria Avenue; which was lined by thousands of people, to Cook’s Gardens. At a point in the Avenue unknown to the bands were stationed judges- for the. marching. At Cook’s Gardens the B grade bands marched to Stewart’s “Broadacre” and the A grade bands to “Shumadinska” (Dufhka Mirovitch). The marching was of a high order, and though the military experts would probably have little difficulty in finding flaws in some of the marching, ■ the crowd were generous in their applause for all the competitors, the most popular being Woolgton, Palmerston North, Timaru, St. Kilda, Garrison and Queen Alexandra, the last two being exceptionally tine in their marching.. The musical section was judged by Mr. Rees and the combined military and musical points give the following results B Grade. Hastings, 256} 1 First Battalion Taranaki, 250 .... 2 Feilding, 247 J 3 Hawera, 24tfJ 4, Ashburton, 237} 5 New Plymouth Citizens, 214} .... 6 A Grade. St. Kilda, 275 J 1 Queen Alexandra, 269 J 2 Wellington Tramways, 266} 3 Wanganui Garrison, 264} 4 Otago Mounteds, 261 5 Palmerston North, 259} 6 Greymouth, 259} and Timaru, 255} 7 Woolstoq, 254} 8 Wellington Silver, 250} 9 Kaikorai, 248} 10 The placed bands in the march up the Avenue were: Wanganui Garrison, 1; Palmerston North, 2; Ashburton, 3. The A Grade Test. Many people were surprised that Woolston, after a magnificent performance whieh has been the subject of much comment, did not gain a higher place in the second A grade test. It appears that they lost points mainly because they were over a minute too slow in tempo. St. Kilda, the winners, have had congratulations showered upon them all day to-day from all parts.of the Dominion. Wanganui people are very pleased at the fine showing of their two bands and by Queen Alexandra’s Own and Garrison securing second place equal, and Garrison win-' ning the hymn test. It is clear that the standard of band music in Wanganui is being well maintained.