EXHIBITION NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume LIII, Issue 2, 4 January 1897, Page 6

EXHIBITION NOTES.

CONCLUSION OF BANDS CONTEST. Lambton-quay and the route to the Exhibition Buildings presented a lively scene on Saturday afternoon about 2 o'clock, the hour appointed for the parade and procession of the competing bands that afternoon from the Government Buildings to the sports ground, where the military quicksteps and drill competitions were to be held. Every vantago site had its knot of adults and children, and the pavements on either side were thronged with sightseers. As the bands, in full uniform and in most instances with gorgeously-clad drum-majors at their head, played down the route, a sufficient distance separating them to allow of the playing of each having due effect, each was accompanied by a crowd of young and old admirers. The strains of martial music made the portion of the city traversed ring again, and quickened many a pulse where they recalled either stirring military scenes oi a day that for them is dead, or brought to mind Old World incidents of their childhood aud youth, in which the soldiers played a memorable part. , For the British, though they prate much of peace, and mean it, is essentially a warlike race when the blood is stirred. The competing bands, five in number — the Napier Garrison and Marlon Royals standing out — entered the sports ground by the Mercerstreet gate. Admission lot those who wished to view the drill, &c, was, however, by tho Exhibition main entrance, and as nearly all who had followed the course of the bands procession so desired, the sports ground was boon as full as it could hold. In the centre of the track were the military judges — Lieut.-Col. Newall, Major Messenger, Capt. ColemauandMajorCollins,withSergt.-Major Finn as Jissistant supervisor. Mr. John Jack superintended arrangements for the Exhibition Bands Contest Cemmittee, and Mr. F. J. Oakes was present as secretary. Mr. Anthony Grieve, in some concealed spot or other, was also at hand as judge of the musical portion of the competition. The routine was as follows: — Each band marched in two-deep formation from the sports pavilion to a marked lino on the sports track, where it halted and fronted. An inspection was then made by the military judges. This finished, at a given signal the band marched in the same formation.'playing a quickstep, to another marked line, where the order " left turn " was given, then " right turn," this bringing the band 'fronting the grand stand, when playing ceased, and a rest was given. Next the band advanced two deep, wheeled by the right, formed four deep, and in this formation marched playing at the quickstep back to the first marked line, where it counter-marched, retnrned to the marching ground, and played till the next band had taken its place at the first marked line, when it turned to the left, and marched to the pavilion or dressing-rooms again. The order taken was :— Woodville, Canterbury Eugineers, Stanmore, Nelson Garrison, and Wellington Garrison. Keen interest was evinced by the spectators in the evolutions and marching, and hearty applause invariably followed on good work. After all the bands had gone through their respective trials, they combined and, mustei'ed round the band stand in the centre of the track, played under the baton of Mr. Grieve " The Attack," by T. E. Buleh, the effect being very fine indeed, and well worth hearing. Then Mr. Grieve announced the result of that afternoon's contest as follows : —

Needless to say, the result was received with prolonged cheering and much delight by the Wellington section of the spectators. In the evening the solo competitions were brought to a close, the competitors aud order of playing being :— E Plat Lasses.— It. Herd (Wellington), "0 Lovely Night"; C. lJaillie (Stanmore) aud J. Ablett (Slanmore), "Ash Grove"; F. Albrecht (Woodville) and H. Dixon (Wellington), " 0 Lovely Night." Euphoniums. — J. A. Donaldson (Wellington), "In Cellar Cool " ; D. Boyd (Engineers), "Air Yarid" ; C. Forrest (Staninore), "In Cellar Cool." Slide Trombones.— ll. Cummings (Wellington) and G. Moore (Stanmore). These finished, a brief interval ensued, and then the President of the Executive, Mr. S. Brown, Mr. J. Jack, Mr. F. J. Oakes, and Mr. Grieve came forward, and Mr. Brown announced the names of the winners in the solo contests, each one as read out being nccorded hearty applause by the audience present in the Concert Hall. Assisted to the platform by Mr. Millward, Mrs. S. Brown then decorated the winners with the gold or silver medal, according as they had taken first or second place. The results, as furnished by Mr. Grieve, are : — E Flat Horns.— lt. Nicholson, Wellington, 22 points, 1 ; C. Cook, Stanmore, 21 points (Mr. Clikholm's medal), 2 ; P. Patrick, Canterbury Engineers, 20 points, 3. E. Flat Sopranos. — S. Cimino, Wellington, 22 points, 1 ; L. Gunner, Engineers, 21

points (Mr. F. Grady's trophy), 2 ; F. Hopkinson, Woodville, 20 points, 3. B Flat Basses- -W. Smith, Wellington, 22 points, 1 ; A. Baker, Wellington, 20 points, 2. B Flat Cornets.— E. Derry, Christchurch Garrison, 24 points, 1 ; F. L. Traversi, Greymouth, 23 points (Mr. Pinny's medal), 2 ; G. Buckley, Dunedin Citizens', 21 points, 3. B Flat Baritones. — J. Flint, Duuedin Citizens', 23 points, 1 ; J. Henrichs, Wellington, 22 points (Messrs. Rash and Gooder's medal), 2 ; G. Millen, Stanmore, 19 points, 3. E Flat Basses.— J. Ablett, Stanmore, 23 points, 1 ; H. Dixon, Wellington, 22 points (Mr. Ross's medal); 2; C. Baillie, Stanmore, and F. Albrecht, Woodville, 21 points each. Euphoniums. —D. Boyd, Canterbury Engineers, 23 . points, 1 ; C. Forrest, Stanmore, 22 points (Messrs. Hosie and Bell's medal), 2; J. A. Donaldson, Wellington, 21 poiuts, 3. Slide Trombones.— G. Moore, Stanmore, 24 points, 1 ; H. Cummings, 23 points (Mr. Hoffmann's medal), 2. This brought to a conclusion a very successful and enjoyable assembling here of seven at any rate of the brass bands of the colony, and a thoroughly satisfactory and well-managed bands contest. The Exhibition Bands Committee, notably Mr. John Jack and Mr. F. J. Oakes, are entitled to great credit for tho completeness ( df the ' arrangements, and Mr. S. Brown shares tins credit in that be was always accessible to the committee and ready to meet and further its wishes in every way. For courtesies shown our representative in this connection we have also to return thanks. , The playing of Minifies Orchestra.jn the Exhibition Building on Saturday evening, was much enjoyed, as were also Mr. J: Kearsley's organ selections in the aftej> noon. , A large'number"of entries have been received for the e3'oling- events to take place on Wednesday evening next and on the Saturday evening following. Over £100 is to be given away in -prize-money, aud the attractions offered are genuine and unusual hi point of large fields starting. • At 8 o'clock this evening Mr. E. W. Seager will give p lantern entertainment of a peculiarly interesting kind, entitled " The British Navy aud Navies of the World." Mr. Seager has obtained the pictures for the views in connection with this from the Canterbury Navy League. The views will illustrate a lecture on the subject set forth in the title of the entertainment, and both interest and instruction will thus be afforded. A packed Concert Hall may be expected. We would remind our readers ot Miss Beere's evening ■of t fancy dancing, &q.,' to be given on Thursday next. Those whY were present at Miss Beere's former similar entertainments in the Exhibition have a lively recollection of their charm and efficiency. Seats can be reserved at the Dresden Company's rooms, and early application is advisable. Athletes are specially reminded of the great tug-ofrwar events to come off on Wednesday, the 20th inst., and following dates. Prize-money of £50 in amount is being offered, and entries close on the 13th inst. A special meeting of the Executive Committee was held this morning; Mr. S. Brown, President, in the chair. The meeting was called to consider the advisableness of lowering the price of the season tickets for the rest of the term during which the Exhibition will be kept' open. It was decided to do this, and that the price should be altered to — for women's tickets ss, and men's 10s, instead of the prices hitherto ruling. No formal decision has been come to as to the date of closing the Exhibition, but it is probable that the end of the present month will see its course pretty well run.

jjAnis, ruir.l3. Music. Drill. Total. .. "Wellington Garrison- - (T. Herd conductor) 23 577 600 !. Canterbury Engineers (J.Pooley conductor) 22 667 589 I. Stanmore Brass (O. Schwartz conductor) 21 649 570 !. "\Voodvilleßrass(A.E. Lawrence conductor) 18 646 564 i. Nelson Garrison (lierr Handke conductor) 20 520 540