INVERCARGILL CONTEST

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 156, 4 July 1913, Page 2

INVERCARGILL CONTEST

LIKELY TO BE ABANDONED

In view of recent developments there seems every likelihood that the proposed Invercargill band contest will be abandoned, merely because the controlling committee was not allowed to break the rules of the South Island Brass Bands Association, and have its own way.' The statement which recently went forth from the Invercargill Committee that it had concluded negotiations with, the Association, and was going to ask the competitive bands whether th\=y would attend a contest, under Mr Percy Jones (Geelong) has further strengthened the belief that the contest will be abandoned, a.s it: can be deemed certain that very few bands would attend a contest not under the jurisdiction of the Association. Such an action would be inimical to the interests of bands, as the risk of _ disqualification . would probably be incurred.

The whole trouble is stated by the Association to have arisen as follows: —On April 14th last the Contest Committee wrote asking the Association to write Mr Wade to ascertain if his services were available, also his fees. On the 30th April the Contest Committee advised that they were writing Mr Wade, Wanganui; Mr Code, Melbourne; Mr Percy Jones, Geelong; and Captain Ben.tley, Sydney. Their next communication was dated May 28th, in which they recommended the appointment of Mr Percy Jones. , The Executive, not knowing Mr Jones's qualifications, telegraphed the Contest Committee asking for them, and in reply received a copy of a cable from the Victorian Band Association stating that he was fully qualified. The Executive then at once went, fully into the matter, and as far as they could learn, found that Mr Jones (who is a very young man) had never yet judged a contest, his only qualification being his success at a Tasmaiiian contest in 1905, Ballarat

in 1906, and four wins in Septette contests v while conducting the St. Augustine Baud; also personally winning the cornet solo on four occasions. In addition to these it was believed that his band obtained first prize in the T* grade section at Ballarat last year. In view of these qualifications the Exectitive felt they would not be acting in the best interest of competing bands if they agreed to the recommendation, and as the rules definitely state that the .judge shall be elected by the Executive, they decided to appoint Mr A. Wade, of Wanganui, a gentleman who has a Avide experience in both adjudicating arid band training. This action did not meet with the approval of the Contest Committee, who stated that if Mr Jones \yere not appointed there was a likelihood of the contest being ' abandoned. The Executive then ; decided .to send a representative to Invercargill to discuss! the matter with them, which was done in a most friendly __ and satisfactory manner, and yet simultaneously 'with the departure of the Association's delegate from Invercargill the committee issued a circular to competing bands, headed "The Contest for the Judge" ; "The Association's High-handed Action." The Execxitivc took very strong exception to this circular, as it was plainly an attempt to defy the authority of the Association, and certainly not in the best interests of affiliated bands.

The local Tenth Mounted Regimental Band has decided to support the South Island Association, the controlling body, in the dispute concerning the judge, and, it is understood, has suggested that the Association hold a contest, say, in Christchurch. It is felt that the action of the Invercargill Committee is an attempt to undermine the authority of the governing body, and is not in the best interests of band competitions in the Dominion.