A NEW BRASS BAND ASSO-CIATION.

Evening Post, Volume LIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1897, Page 6

A NEW BRASS BAND ASSOCIATION.

As an outcome of the assembling here for the Exhibition contests there took place at Bodley's Cafe", on Thursday morning, a meeting of bandsmen to discuss matters of general interest to bauds in this colony, but more especially the question of the formation of a North Island Brass Band Association. Mr. M'Michan, of the Napier Garrison Band, was in the chair, and Mr. F. J. Oakes, Secretary to the Exhibition Band Contest Committee, acted as Secretary. A general discussion took place, and it was decided to • form a Brass Bands Association for the North Island, bud the meeting was postponed till this morning for further consideration of the subject. To-day the meeting resumed, Mr. J. Pooley, conductor of the Canterbury Engineers' Band, being in the chair, Mr. Oakes acting again as Secretary. The decision to form, the above Association was ratified, a number of Middle Island bandsmen agreeing that it would be a good thing in the interests of brass bands generally. It was explained that there was no desire to clash with the New Zealand Brass Bands Association, but it was felt that the smaller country brass bands of the North Island, being unable to afford to attend the present annual contests when held in the Middle Island, bad no incentive to practise aud improve. Therefore it was necessary there should be a yearly contest for tho North Island brass bauds alone, this being available to all of them. It was decided that a meeting of delegates of these brass bauds should be held at Marlon in about a Li-lnight's time, when officers of the North Island Association will be elected, and the date for a contest fixed.