The Bands Come to Town

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 44, 22 February 1938, Page 6

The Bands Come to Town

The lighter Side of a Contest STREET MARCH SIDELIGHTS Staged as a spectacle, the march to the Showgrounds yesterday afternoon by the various bands participating in the Dominion contest at Palmerston North proved effective in that respecty and the approval of the crowd was shown in their ready applause wheu they saw the fine performances tv hick were given by the competing units. The sterner atmosphere of rivalry and competition had a delightful contrast in the remarks and observations of peoplo who lined the route. Kaid one lady to her companion, above the din produced by a perspiring combination bearing dowu upon them: “He (referring to a sunny little lad at her feet) has given up the notion of becoming a bandsman and will learn to smoke and go to the pitcures instead, because that’s what his daddy does.” At another point consternation was caused when a bass drummer, conscious of the importance of the occasion, smote his drum rather more strongly than usual and the skin split. (Quickly he turned the drum over and thumped thQ reverse side. The heat and t*ie long wait before many of the bands set out on the route down Cuba street had their effect, and many of those men who, had uniforms more suitable for a contest among Greenland’s icy wastes were showing obvious signs of stress and wear before the distance was traversed. The colours that were used by the bands to create distinctive effects on their uniforms w r ero the object of much comment from the many ladies who lined the route. It is said that a uniform appeals to the fair sex, but a reporter yesterday leafned that they also have a fine discrimination in this matter as well. The red tunicß of the band of the First Battalion Auckland Regiment simply took feminine hearts by storm, and thereafter none could come up to the high standard they set. One can easily imagine many of the ladies and girls saying: “I told you so” when the result of the street march was announced. One drum major may have wondered why the second time he marched past with a different combination the cheers were perceptibly louder. The more observant recognised his sportsmanship and, shall we say, stamina. The others probably clapped in recognition of a good showing, but the same drum-major can rest assured that his effort was not overlooked. Some of the bauds carried banners displaying their identity. This was greatly appreciated by the public, who were anxious to know from what part of New Zealand each band came. There is a section of the public of Palmerston North who do not hold the occasion of the New Zealand brass bands contest in tho city as altogether a blessing. Night workers who have necessarily to take their sleep during the early part of the day have been awakened “early” by the strains of martial music from bands practising on city and suburban greens for the forthcoming quick-step competition. But one such night-worker was probably expressing a common opinion w'hen he stated yesterday: “It’s a lot more pleasant an awakening, after the first shock, than the old alarm clock.” And night-workers have not had it all to themselves. On one green sward in the city at the hour of 4.30 u.m. tramped enthusiastic bandsmen bruiting abroad in their own characteristic fashion that the great day had dawned. The milkmen were forgiven their noisiness and many were waiting for the morning paper at an hour when they are customarily in the land o reverie.