WELLINGTON WINS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 41, 18 February 1911, Page 3

WELLINGTON WINS.

BAND CONTEST RESULTS. SUCCESS OF GARRISON AND TRAMWAYS BAND. [BZ TELEGBAPH — SPECIAL TO THB POST.] PALMERSTON N., This Day. For the closing day of the band contest the same beautifully fine weather pievailed, and the attendance of the public was fairly numerous. The arrangements throughout have been most satisfactory, and there has been "Ho hitch at all. In the main the credit for this rests with the secretary and the supervisor, Messrs._ W. H. Collingwood and J. D. Hunter respectively. BASS TROMBONE SOLO. Only two out of seven entries faced the judge, Mr. Short, for this event, the test piece provided beng "The Wolf." First place, with 90 points out of 100, was awarded to A. Handlay (Taranaki Garrison Band), G. Boyd (Wanganui Garrison Band), 2, with 50 points. Handlay's playing was veiy favourably criticised by the judge; Boyd was adjudged to have playecf too quick tempo, and to have been deficient in tone qualities. BB BASS SOLO. Gounod's "Nazareth" was ' the test piece chosen for this competition, and was most' credita-bly interpreted by all the players. Most people with musical proclivities know this work, and its requirements. A. Gunner (Wellington Garrison Band) was . awarded lirst place for an .almost faultless rendering, securing 95 points, with W. Pittam (Pahnerston), 90 points, 2 ; j] Neighbours (Westport), and V. Cleland (Marton) tieing for third place with 85 points. E FLAT TENOR HORNS. There were originally twenty-seven entries for this solo event, but when it came to the pinch, only twelve determined to contest it to a finish. The test piece was another old, well-known, and popular selection, Sir Henry Bishop's •'iiid Me Discourse." Mr. Short expressed himself as exceedingly pleased with the horn playing generally, remarking that this class of instrument generally constituted one of the weaknesses of brass bands. He gave pride of ' place, for excellent interpretation and iino tone, to Bow«s (Wanganui Garrison Band), with 95 points, • M 'Kersey (Wellington) being second with 90, Taylor (Westport) third with 85, and Williams (Gisborne), with 78, fourth. FINAL TEST SELECTION. Considerable interest centred in the result of the competition in the second test selections, A and B grades respectively. The contest commenced at a quarter to seven o'clock in the evening., the Marton Junction Band leading off in the B grade with Ord-Hume's arrangement of Suppe's " Boccaccio," the test piece selected. Marten played well for a, young band, and was followed, in the order mentioned, by Onehunga Municipal, a fair, but creditable performance ; l'aranaki Garrison, also good ; the Wellington Tramways Band, which • gave a capital rendering, T. Goodall's comet playing being greatly admired ; Marion Royal, Gisborne, Ashburton, and Waitara bands all creditable, but indubitably inferior to the Wellington Tramways. The result was: — Wellington Tramways, 195 points ... 1 Gisborne, 190 points ii Marton Royal, 185 points 3 j Onehunga, 170 points, 4 ; followed by Ashburton, Waitara, Taranaki, and Marton Junction in tho order named. It was past nine o'clock before the A grade entrants for the second test were called upon. Then the Wanganui Garrison Band opened the ball, and gave a good interpretation of ths test piece, "Falstaff," also arranged by Ord-Hume. Palmerston North followed creditably, as did also Westport Garrison, and both Petone Municipal and Waihi Federal Bands. But the interpretation by the Wellington Garrison Band was so brilliant, the tone so excellent, and the balancing of the parts so faultless, that there remained but little doubt as to th-3 result when the numbers went up. This proved lo be :—: — Wellington Garrison, 210 points ... 1 Waihi Federal, 200 2 Petone Municipal, 190 ... > ... ; Palmevsion, 185 4 Westport Garrison, 180 ... ... 5 Wanganui Garrison, 175 ...- ... 6 I 'Wellington Garrison Band thus wins both testa in A grade, which carries with it the Besson Shield, the championship of New Zealand, and the prize of £100. Wellington Tramways Band wins both tests in B 'grade, the championship in that grade, and the Boosey Shield. The total points scored by the Wellington Garrison Band in A grade were : —Besson Shield, 491; £100 prize, 446; Waihi being next with 480, and 403 respectively, and Wanganui third with 4GO and 396. The quartette competition was won by Westport Garrison with Ashburton second. Wellington Garrison was last but ons in this event. During the counting of the points Mr. Short played two trumpet solos, which were much enjoyed. "The Lost Chord," and the air varie "Sandon." The t «sult of the contest is to show a great advance for the better in b'-ass band playing generally. All the competing bands did well, and have nothing lo be ashamed of. Doubtless each fc,nd_ all will taka note of weaknesses exhibited here and there, and set out to remedy them. WELCOME TO THE CHAMPIONS.. Tho Garrison and Tramway Banda, which won the A and B competitions respectively at tho band contest ai Palmerston North, will return by the Napiot express this evening, and be formally welcomed by the Mayer (Mr. T. M. Wilford) and members of tho City Council. On Monday night the bands will be accorded a public welcome at the Town Hall, which is to be given free for tho purpose. A charge of Is is t6 be made to all parts of the hall., and the proceeds will be devoted to the iund for sending New Zealand athletes to compete at the Festival of Empire sports in. connection with theCoronation. Any funds raised for that purpose will bti subsidised pound for pound by the Government, and it is anticipated that a good sum will be raieed.

The weekly meeting of the Siar of Wellington Lodge, No. 12, 1.0. G.T., ivas held in St. Peter's Miwion Hall on Thursday evening. Bro. Wise, C.T., presided over a larg- 1 attendance of members and visitors. ~Cne member was readmitted into the Order, and two members were admitted on ciearance-cards. After the lodge business was disposed of the programme for the evening was proceeded m ifch. liro. G. Eraser was appointed as representative to the Craiid Lodge, to be held ai Dunedin at Easter, and Bro. Weston wae appointed as alternative delegate. A very amutinj," discussion on temperance va.-> then proceeded with. During the evening B.*o. Fraser was presented with a silver mc-dal for introducing the most incmbcr-s during i.he quarter. Tho C.T. mads the presentation on behalf of Bios. Stewart and Ferrcil A vote of thanks Mas accorded to tlio visitors, scrutineer.-, and ;ilt>o to tho sifters. Tho prograauno lor next week jyili bg "Mock jbUectwa."-