BANDS CHAMPIONSHIP

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 February 1937, Page 2

BANDS CHAMPIONSHIP

WANGANUI GARRISON WINS. [FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] NELSON, February 19., The gold challenge cup. for the champion New Zealand A grade band was won by Wanganui Garrison, as the result of winning the second selection at the .Dominion, band contest at Nelson, to-night, with 10 points in hand. , . Mr E. Palliser, president of the New Zealand Bands’ Association, congratulated the winners, and sqid that all bandsmen would be gratified to see the one-time champions to the fore again. They had suffered reverses, but had risen to. the top again in a creditable manner. He congratulated the young conductor and the bandsmen'on their performance. The jddge, Mr E. P. Kerry, said that he liad been impressed by, the performance of the A grade bands on both nights. The standard to-night was not quite up to the performance in the first test, but the winning band, from a rhythmical and detail viewpoint, was outstanding. The soloists, especially the soprano, euphonium, and cornet, were- most impressive. The work and performance of the bands in general were of a. fairly high A grade standard. The placings were announced as follow: — Wanganui Garrison, first test 136 points, second 133 points—total 269 points 1 Wdolston Brass, 141, 123 —264 .. 2 Tiiharu Municipal, 125, 129 —254 3 St. Kilda, 121, 125—246 •• .... 4 Palmerston North Garrison, 113 116—229 5 Queen Alexandra’s Own, 115,98 — 2|g .. 6 Nelson Garrison, 110 103—213 .. 7 Solo classes were finished this morning when the trombone trios were heard. The judge (Mr E. P. Kerry) said as a whole the class had not been bad. Following are the results: —Timaru Municipal, 80 points, 1; Dannevirke, 77 points 2; Nelson Garrison 70 points, 3.

KITTEN AS MASCOT. NELSON, February 20., After the Wanganui Garrison Band’s' experience, yesterday, no one will be able to doubt the- good luck associated with a black cat. Yesterday morning, a stray black kitten found its way to Montreal House, where the band is staying. Immediately, the bandsmen befriended it, and appointed it to the position of official mascot. The kitten, decorated with a ribbon, was taken to Trafalgar Park last evening. The band gave a splendid performance, winning the second test and the A_ grade championship. The kitten will be taken home to. Wanganui by the band.