WANGANUI BAND CONTEST.

Grey River Argus, 13 February 1929, Page 6

WANGANUI BAND CONTEST.

elaborate preparations. The president of the committee making arrangements for the brass band contest to be held in Wanganui next month (Mr F. Symes) is well pleased with the manner in which preparations for the event are going on. “The organisation is tip-top,” he said, “and all we need now is fine weather and public support.” The intention, he said, was to confclidate the work of the various subcommittees as much as possible during the next few- weeks. They had a central executive and sub committees covering every branch of the work. The secretarial duties were in capable hands and the fact that there were 480 entries for solo competitions gave indication of the volume of work. Mr Symes said that the city hotels had offered every assistance to the committee, and all the accommodation they could possibly arrange was being made available. Hall proprietors, and those in charge of grounds, had co-operated with the committee in making them available to the bands for practice. The Opera Reuse had been engaged for a week, and the hiring of another hall was at present under consideration. The aim was to make the main centre Cook’s Gardens, on which a special stand was being erected and elaborate, provisions made for the accommodation of the public. The solid work would be judged inside and the band work and

marching would be conducted in the open air. Welcome to Visitors. On the Saturday previous to the contest. (February 23) a function of welcome would be extended to visiting bandsmen on Cook’s Gardens. Endeavours were being made to enlist the assistance of Boy Scouts. Girl Guides, a Maori party and the Amateur Athletic Association. On the. following Sunday morning a drum-head service would be held and in the afternoon the visitors wou’d be the guests of the Wanganui Automobile Association on a motor tour of places of interest about the city. The contest judge, Mr L. J. Rees, of Wales, has officiated at three Crystal Palace contests and has successfully conducted bands in the largest contests in Britain. After officiating at Wanganui he will proceed to Brisbane to judge the Australian bands. Through the dual appointment, the Wanganui committee has been able to obtain his services at a reduced figure. “Bands throughout the Dominion are highly satisfied with the Test music,” said Mr Symes, “and the public will find it pleasing. It is more tuneful than usual.”