Grey River Argus TUESDAY, May 14, 1929. BAND CONTEST AT GREYMOUTH.

Grey River Argus, 14 May 1929, Page 4

Grey River Argus TUESDAY, May 14, 1929. BAND CONTEST AT GREYMOUTH.

Now that the project of holding here in November next a Band Contest has been so far advanced that the townspeople are being canvassed in order to secure the necessary financial guarantee, the promoters of the movement should be entitled to expect general and substantial support. Through its Municipal Band, Greymouth has been prominently identified for a considerable period with the best standard of hand music in the Dominion, and it is but fitting that its enterprise in patronising contests in other centres should now be extended in the direction of holding a contest of its own. While this might not be regarded in the light of an obligation, the fact that no contest is anywhere possible without the community in whose midst it is held gives guarantees •such as are in this instance sought is sufficient to indicate that every community looking for fame to such events ought to take its turn in providing them. From the broadest viewpoint, this conclusion is to be drawn, since otherwise the rejection of any sense of ■ obligation might easily lead 1o the holding of no contests at all, with the inevitable consequence of a .decline in the standard of band music, at least outside the cities. In other spheres of rivalry, towns which gain prominence are- prompt in promoting contests, and only recently a very successful series of these for the whole of the Dominion Fire Brigades was held a! 110. kitika. Considering, however, the far wider public appeal of a Band Contest, the prospects of its success here should be at least as blight, even though the range of competitors be not so wide, and the work of organisation be limit.ed to local people. While there is every reason to expect that the . contest contemplated, for bands ■in Canterbury, the West Coast, Nelson, and such other South Island districts as may be represented, will be no less a success financially than musically, the provision of a guarantee for an amount in the neighbourhood of. say, £5OO, is a prudent measure in order to remove the slightest element of uncertainty as to the prize money, although in all probability little or nothing - of the guarantee will be required in the event. The promoters, among whom the Greymouth bandsmen are keen enthusiasts, are primarily interested from musical and public motives, but there is certainly another aspect of the proposal which should appeal to business people in general, as well as all who desire to see Grey mouth playing its due part as the leading centre of the 'West Coast. This comprehends the attraction of a large influx of visitors during the three days of the contest, with the resultant increase of local trading in several directions which it is unnecessary to enumerate.. It is some time, moreover, since many of our West Coast Bands have had the opportunity to participate in a contest of any great importance, and this is certainly an ideal centre for those bands to meet in friendly rivalry. It is practically certain that all West Coast bands will take part, and thereby they must be induced to improve their ability by steady practice for the various events. For a town of the size of Greymouth, the modest guarantee sought should be a mere bagatelle, but the promoters nevertheless should give every citizen willing to co-operate the opportunity to do so, since the more there are associated with the project the keener and more general will be the desire to have it turn out a great success- In that case, we should be fully justified in looking forward later to the Dominion Contest being held here, and the experience already gained ought then to prove of the greatest assistance for the organisers. So far as previous contests go, success in every respect has been the rule, and there is absolutely no reason why one in Greymouth should prove an exception. The promoters certainly have a task of no mean dimensions. bit: o- y have already proved that obstacles are regarded by them simply as. something to be overcome, and if their canvass meets with the support which they are entitled to expect, they can be relied' on to do their part In a manner which will bring honour and credit to the town and district.