THE HASTINGS BAND CONTEST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 26 February 1909, Page 2

THE HASTINGS BAND CONTEST.

THE TEST SELECTIONS. ' [United Press Associaiion.] HASTINGS, Friday. Last evening at the Band Contest tba first test A and B grades was held on the racecourse. The grandstand and lawn were beautifully illuminated by electric light and splendid weather prevailed, the night being very still and calm, with a clear atmosphere and an early but bright moon. The attendance was splendid, fully 200 people "be. ing present. Six B grade bands and three A grade bands came up for the judge's decision, and the test selection in A grade was "Songs of Scotland" and in B "II Crociato in Egitlo." The following are awards (maximum 200 joints) : — B Grade.— Hastings 153, Pctone 160, Git-borne 150, Stratford 146, Hawera 140, JManaia 135. As was expected hi the A grade, Wangauui Garrison were easily first, being, allotted 194 points; Newton (Auckland) were second, 181 points; and Palmerston Korth third, 178. Tho judge remarked that this test was the best he had heard in thn dominion. He ha] not heard the winuing band liefnre, and h's was very pleased to have had the opportunity of coming to Hastings to hear them. The solos had been exoeptioaUly pood, and he would like to have given full marks, but slips had been made. The E flat horn competitions resulted : — Taylor (Newton), 86 points, 1 ; J. May (Hastines), 81, 2; B. May (Hastings), 80, 3. There were eight competitors. Thu 12th amvial meeting of the North Island Brass Bards Association was opened this morning, Mr M. Cohen, presiding. All the affiliated bands arc represented. The business on tho order paper will occupy the whole day. (Bandsman T. Hoghes, of tho Nelson Garrison Band, will ,be warmly congratulated on winning ths BB solo competition. To have scored 94 points Bandsman Hughes must have played particularly well. The Press Association sent no particulars of tho quartette «>mpetition which was held on Monday night This was won by the Wangunui Garrison Band sNo 1 players— H-. Crysel (Ist cornet), H. INorthey (2nd cornet), W Hickmami (euphonium), C Forrest /tr-r.or horn\. with A. Wa.le ns conducMv. HastMijrs Bnnd'° No. 1 pl av <TS were second, (hose taking part being A. J. Berrvmnn (Ist cornet). J. Caulton (2nd cornet), F. MrKeegan'ttenor horn" «nd H. McCaskill (eiuihouhim). with H. Bierryman (Nelson) as conductor. Wansanm rcored 84 points and "Hastingi Band 70 points.)