NEW ZEALAND BANDS CONTEST

Evening Star, Issue 22272, 25 February 1936, Page 13

NEW ZEALAND BANDS CONTEST

OFFICIAL CPENING AND FIRST COMPETITIONS WOOLSTON WINS HYMN TEST [Per United Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, February 24. A memorable scene was presented at the official opening of the New Zealand brass bands’ contest in the floodlighted natural ampithcatre of Pukekura Park to-night. Ominous clouds, with flashes of lightning in the distance, and a few heavy drops of rain, threatened to spoil the opening ceremony, but the rain did not materialise though the oppressive heat remained. There was an attendance of 3,000. A civic welcome was extended hy the Mayor (Mr E. B. C. Gilnwmr). Other speakers were Messrs E. Palliser (president of the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association) and S. G. Smith. M.P. The contest was opened in the morning with the instrumental championships, in which some excellent performances were heard, the judge having great difficulty in awarding the places. SOLO COMPETITIONS. The results of the solo competitions decided to-day were:— E FLAT SOPRANO CORNET. G. Unwin (St. Hilda), 96 points ... 1 N. Henstridge (Cairns), J. Foster (Wellington Tramways) ._ and E. Robinson (Nelson), 95 points (equal) • ••• 2 R. Trounson (Wellington West Coast) and F. Greig (Greymouth), 94 points (equal) 3 B FLAT OR BB FLAT BASS. E. Hatton (Greymouth), 94 points 1 C. Hanson (Woolston), 93 points ... 2 H. 0. Unwin (Hastings), 92 points 3 The judge commented enthusiastically on the winner’s performance. BARITONE SOLO. L. G. Hickman (Wanganui Garrison), 76 points 1 J. Jackson (Greymouth), 75 points 2 A. Winslade (St. Hilda) and R. Fenton (Port Nicholson), 74 points (equal) 3 HYMN TEST. Twelve bands of both grades competed on an even footing to-night in the hymn test, which was won by Woolston, with Greymouth second and Port Nicholson and Timaru (equal) third. Cairns (Queensland) was fifth. The adjudicator was Mr A. Bane. The playing of the hands was very uniform and of a high standard. Woolston Brass Band, 96 points ... 1 Greymouth Municipal, 92 points ... 2 Port Nicholson Silver Band and Timaru, 92 points (equal) 3 Cairns, 91 points 5