BAND CONTEST

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 275, 16 August 1932, Page 8

BAND CONTEST

Dominion Championship Offered Dunedin CONFLICTING INTERESTS No decision has yet been made fconcernlng the exact locale of the next New Zealand Championship Brass Bands Contest, but is expected at an early date. Under the rules ,of the N.Z.' Brass Bands’ Association it was tin. turn of the South Island to hold the contest next year. There were actually three applications for the contest— Christchurch, Dunedin and Nelson. Christchurch, according to an authority, really had priority in the matter, but after going into the prospects for a contest in February next found that it was inexpedient to undertake the responsibility as things were with them. It now becomes Dunedin’s turn to decide definitely if it will undertake the championship contest. Financially Dunedin is in a sound position, but that will probably not induce the southern brass band people to venture without the assurance of a good entry. Inquiries are now being instituted there to ascertain the position, and until that is known the location of the next national band contest will not be known. Nelson’s voice is a receding one, as If Christchurch and Dunedin turn It down It is scarcely likely that Nelson would be financially strong enough to run the big contest unless some substantial local support was forthcoming. ■lt was mentioned recently that Napier's “Thirty Thousand” Club, which is promoting a carnival for February next, was willing toteonslder the contest as an attraction for Mardi Gras week, but if Dunedin decides to undertake the championship contest that event for next year cannot take place at Napier, in which case Napier may have to be content with a one-day district contest for B and C grade bands. On the other hand, should Dunedin turn down the championship contest, It might be still competent for the association to ailot It to Napier, on sentimental grounds as much as any other consideration; though this might foment local feeling as Hastings has an application in for the championship contest of 1034 (a North Island year); From the foregoing it will be seen that the arranging of a big brass band contest Is no easy task. A Canterbury district contest is to be held at Ashburton on October 8. and a Wellington district contest at Masterton on November 19. These are for B and 0 grade bands (march and test selection only).