Brass Band Notes.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7768, 16 February 1904, Page 7

Brass Band Notes.

By " Dbumstick " Although ol quite a chiieieut ohai actor to other bands m Palmeiston, the Salvation Aimy Biass Hand is an entcrpusing and di&tinclly prafi'i es^ve organisation, and has made wondemil niipiovexnent m its playing- icccnUy. Amongst the additions made to then- lrsti uments is the puidi^se ]s a double B-flat bass, which, besides bouig a tower of strength, to that poitjon ol the Band, gives a beautiful tone An oidor has just been placed with the New Zealand Clothing Factoiy foi a complete set of new uniforms, of blje tJoth, with the legulation led stupe on the trousets and a led piping decoiatioiyol the Umacs To show the enthusiasm displayetl by wcaLeis, it is noteworthy, and praisew oi tbjr, too, tiiat each individual member is tonti lbuting the cost of the uniform, •\ v , £,<L 10s. Lieut. Herd spent an houi with tiie band one night last week " timing " the ha-id, and his thoughtfulnoss and ;fennohity was gieatly appicciated by nirmbeis, who benefited by the urji'ts and msti uct-ion mipai ted in that gentleman The band's arpiMu.nco in publji; never lails to xtli.vt l<iige audiences, who aic veiy comi Plimentaiy m their lefeiercj to the work of the hands Mm.

Brass Bands Contests are apparent'y becoming very popular inaugurations, &o l.ir as New Z -aland is concerned, it one Ccin iudge by the number of agitations afooifor the holdiDgoi competitions in various centres in this, colony. The Kotorua Contest commences next week, Palmerstou the following week, and the second-class contest, at Marton in May nest. TJi-n we l'av c r.o less than we or six applications from cliffevent centres, including Auckland, Weniug-fion, . «islionic° and Hawera, ■ic--iuc.3 I'i.T^, t.-'at next year's contest, under , the auspices of the North. Island Brass Band Association, be ' held jn their respective towns. The .question or allotting the town is already viiv tually settled, Auckland having prior claim to .other centres^ Numerous applications will' also bo received from towns, whose bands ara, affiliated with the North Island Amateur Bands Association, for the holding o£ next year's coiv test in tiaeir towns. Then, again, an Invercargjll public meeting- decided, last week, to hold an Intercolonial Band Congest in. that tow n in October ;next, on a date to be arranged. Arrangements are to be made to enable: the Wanganui Garrison Band and other competitors at the Bailarat" contest, in the same month, to participate. Eventually the music-loving public in New Zealand will have their requirements in this connection well catered for. during the next twelve months, and we may expect, at the present rate, to have band contests as numerous as race meietings, with totalisators on the ground to '- back your fancjr !"