BANDS AND BANDSMEN

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 301, 15 September 1933, Page 7

BANDS AND BANDSMEN

A Grade Controversy SOUTH AUCKLAND UNION COMING CONTESTS. Leeston (Canterbury). —B and C grade bands, October 7. Invercargill (Southland). —B and C graue bands, November 4. Palmerston North.— Championship (A, B, and C grade), February It to 24, 1934. . .no I Manaia (Taranaki).—March, 1J34. Rotorua. —B and C grade, Easter Saturday, 1934. (By “Kneller Hall.”) The grading of winning bands appears to have caused some controversy up north. At a meeting of the Te Awamutu Municipal Band executive last ■week the delegate to the contest committee at Hamilton stated that a departure from the accepted rules of the North Island Association had been made regarding the grading of winning bands. Such a step was objected to by the executive, as it was considered the alteration tended to defeat the purpose of contests. It was decided to in form the South Auckland Association that Te Awamutu Band would not compete at the next contest unless the rules of the North Island Association were observed. In the event of the conditions being restored, the band intends to prepare for competition at the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association’s grade championship contests at Palmerston North. It appears that the dispute arose over the reading of a rule which seemed to be a bit ambiguous as some interpreted it. They held that if a band won, say, a B grade competition, it automatically passed into the A grade. But this contention was wrong, for beside being contrary to the rule, it would have been manifestly unfair to the band in question. There is no ambiguity whatever in the rule, which states: "The winning band of the B grade competition at any one of the association contests shall be permitted to defend the title at the next contest.” Any other procedure would certainly defeat the purpose of contests, for it must always be borne in mind that the winning of a championship competition one year does not necessarily mean that the successful band is qualified to be raised to a higher grade. Instances have been known in New Zealand where the leading band of one year has been low down the list in the following year, and in one case beaten by an inferior band. The raising of bands from a minor grade to a senior one must have some guarantee of permanency about it, and justifies the stand taken by the N.Z.8.8.A. that the winner of a championship one year is allowed to defend that title the following year. It is to be hoped the folks up north will have discussed the matter from a reasonable point of view and that nothing further will be heard of what is after all merely a storm in a teacup. A Contest Hitch.

It seems unfortunate that a hitch should have occurred in connection with the championship contest arranged to be held at Palmerston North in February next. Finance, of course, is the stumbling block, and if the contest committee cannot agree with the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association on the subject there is every possibility that the big event will not be held in the Manawatu centre. From what can be gathered, the N.Z.8.8.A.’s fee of £5O down and 10 per cent, of the profits is objected to by the contest committee, which has intimated that it is prepared to pay 10 per cent, on all profit, up to a miximum of £5O, and no more, and if the parent body will not accept that offer then the contest will be cried off. As the association’s fee is in accord with the rules, the contest committee is rather belated in raising the issue now, especially as the objectors must have been aware of the terms on which the contest would be permitted. The dispute is to be deplored, as there are so many interests affected, and it is hoped that a way out may yet be devised which will allow of the fixture being proceeded with and be acceptable to all parties.

First Battalion Band. At the annual meeting of the band of the First Battalion, Wellington Regiment, Mr. J. I. Goldsmith (band patron) presided, and the band president (ILeut. Scott) and 34 bandsmen were present. The report stated that the past year had been a successful one and the attendance at practices had been highly satisfactory. During the year the band had transferred from the Naval Reserve to the military, the officers and n.c.o's already taking a keen interest in the change, and the band in turn was very keen to assist the regiment on all possible occasions. The year just closed had been marked by a spirit of camaraderie and fellowship that was highly gratifying, and the success was due to the splendid way in which all had pulled together. The success of the practices constituted a record which could hardly be bettered in New Zealand, and the prospects for the coming year were exceedingly bright. The election of officers resulted :—Patron, J. I. Goldsmith, Esq.: president, Lieut. Scott; bandmaster, H. Baker; secretary, W. A. Baker (reelected ); treasurer, L. Baker; committee, J. E. Smith, W. Baker, D. Bignell. J. Parker, O. E, James, F. McCutcheon; librarian, L. Smith (re-elected); auditors, Captain L. Andrew, V.C., and T. C. Newton; organiser, B. Keesing (reelected ). Bandroom Chat.

Mi-. P. Scrimgeour, who has been associated with the Ist Battalion Regimental Band (formerly the R.N.V.R. Band) for a great many years as treasurer, has found it necessary to decline office again, and at the annual meeting of the band regret was expressed at his decision. Special mention was made of the splendid services he had rendered during his term of office, and in recognition thereof he was unanimously elected a life-member. During the proceedings favourable reference was also made to the services rendered by the librarian, Mr. L. Smith. The Wanganui Regimental Band was present at the opening ceremony of the youths’ afforestation camp at Kaitoke and rendered a delightful programme of music, writes a correspondent. At the conclusion the bandsmen were shown over the camp and were much impressed with what they saw As tlicv were setting off on their return journey to Wanganui the boys at the camp, numbering about 50, lined up and cheered them. Among the entries for the Southland contest on November 4 is the band of St. Joseph’s Orphanage, Dunedin, which earned warm commendation from Mr. Frank Wright, adjudicator at the last championships contest at the Otago capital. Bluff Pipe Band was announced to give a concert at early date, and the committee decided that no “free" tickets would be issued, which would amply justify (remarks a contemporary) the title of a “Scotch” concert.