BRASS BANDS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 51, 1 March 1930, Page 14

BRASS BANDS

SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) , -■-•. ■ DUNEDIN, 28th February: The annual conference, of the South Island Bands' Association was held to-day, the president (Dr. H. T. J. Thacker) presiding. ■ . ■ . ■ The annual report stated that the question of one-day contests was one -which the executive had'had ; in view during, the year, but owing to arrangements of a proposed such contest falling through from want of sufficient entries, it had not been possible to give it:a trial in the South Island. The advisability of • forming a New Zealand Brass Bands' Association Board of Trustees was a matter well worthy of consideration. . , Iv moving the adoption of the report, the'chairman congratulated .the bands on the present contest as far as-it had gone. There had been n disagreeable duty to perform, said Dr. Tliacker, in reference to the disqualification of two. bauds for. playing professionals, but .those disqualifies-, tions had-to be made, as they wanted the contest, to be clean. . • The report was adopted. ' - The following office-bearers were elected: President, Dr. H..T. J. Thacker; secretary,. Mr.. T. F. Hall; treasurer, Mr. H. Swiney; committee, Messrs. R. B. Hean (Christcliiirch), ■'!'., CaVroll (Christehurch), 0." G. Baker (Timaru)/ W. D. Murray (Greymouth)., E.; Bilcliff (Christehurch), A.G. Homer (Duuediu), C. Parsons (Ashburton), A. Woods (Milton), A. L. Familton (Oamaru), and W. J. Nelson (Dunedin). ■■■,'■ "That B grade bands be allowed one own choice,and one test selection in future contests" was a remit received from the North Island Brass Bands' Association. After; discussion this was defeated on the voices. . Another, remit from the North Island Association; "That- own choice music 'be.allowed in quicksteps in place of ' tests," : was, also , rejected. '-. The proposal to form a New Zealand Brass Bands' Association Board of Trustees came up for discussion. Dr. Thacker said the idea to set aside trust sums of money. They would then be able to bring from overseas or elsewhere an. adjudicator, and Hold him, here for from six to twelve months, during which period he could move around among the bands of both islands, to assist' them. Mr. Nelson (Dun'edin). said that if two separate bodies . would, not; control the suggested fund, he thought thVtwo associations should be combined to control^band contests in New. Zealand. ~; After further, discussion, it was decided to refer the matter to the.incoming executive, and that the conference express its approval of the principle. .; : "That the. band playing first in selections be allowed to play a second time" was a remit from the Timaru Municipal Band. ' After, discussion it was decided, that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to provide facilities, so that the domestic arrangements of any baud would not be a hardship. "Tliat in the;''case of recalls'■ ■■ (soloists, etc.), the points in each1- performance be added, and the aggregate taken to determine the winner," was a further remit from the Timaru Municipal Band. After a short discussion the remit was defeated. . '..■•' On the motion of Mr. E. Anderson (Dun? edin), it was decided that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee that no placingsi be made known until: the tests were over. After some discussion the secretary was instructed to write to the bands of the South Island asking them to consider the question of having one governing body for the bands. >. of New .Zealand, instead of having one in each island.