THREE APPLICATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 84, 6 October 1933, Page 9

THREE APPLICATIONS

NEXT BAND CONTEST

A BUSINESS PROPOSITION

"A baud contest carnival is a good business proposition for any centxe," said Mr. 11. D.. Bennett (president of the New Zealand Brass Bands Association), when discussing the 1934 event with a "Post" reporter today. "Evidence of this may be taken, from the fact that, tho Napier. Chamber of Commerce is the .latest to. inquire as to the possibilities of having the big 1934 contest carnival-held-Qt the Hawke'sßay city." ■ , i It would be' recalled, Mr. Bennett said, that the contest was offered. ,;to Palmerston North, but some xnisunder^ standing had arisen over the' £50 permit fee and 'Palmerston had declined to go on. Since then both Wanganui and Wellington had applied for. the venue... The Napier Chamber of Contr merce had also now entered the ranks. Al\ were, of .course, offering to conduct the contest the rules re-, jectfed-by Manawiitu. ;.. ' ■"''. "It would appoar that tlio three cities are more concerned.-about..: the aesthetic advantages',.;though probably also they have an eye to the commercial side, "said Mr. Beniiett. •' Anyhow, a band carnival'1, eitehding' over a week■ is just what is Vented in..most of our centres at; this preißent.time.'' ■ 'Tt has' been -stated .previouily; that the parent body, by. authority of ih6 last annual conference of bands, intends to hold all future contests under new -conditions. That; in; effects means iHit the ■ annual must be directed by ify and the profits distributed as it thinks fif in the interests of bands, • TRAVELLING COSTS. '' There ' is, however, one very important issue that has ito be 'considered," said Mr. Bennett. "_l)iiring the past few days information has drifted to us- to the effect that there are very few bands in the country, that can possibly afford the cost of transport,' especially to- a distant destination. As the parent body carries the responsibility for any loss Whith,' may result,, it is' obliged to Very seriously consider possibilities. For instariceyin the case of Wellington, hardly anjr of the bands, would, be-in a position to travel, but- they would take part in a contest at home. Of the South Island bands, there are only two of-the A grade, which could afford the expense of coming north, but even those two may' Hesitate to travel further than Wellington. i '■'-'■. : **Gn the other ■ hand, Wanganui is one of the best band contest centres in New Zealand.' In addition, it has a very competent and: enthusiastic local contest committee. .'These.factors J\aye .to. ,be. considered before the association. can. decide the^ venue, ■■, but the decision must be made within .the next- few days, and it is imperative that the test selections shall be decided upon and made known at the earliest possible date."-"