THE BAND CONTEST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 21 March 1921, Page 5

THE BAND CONTEST

QUICKSTEP COMPETITION j WON BY INYERCAIIGILL HIBERNIAN What is considered to be the biggest crowd ever seen at Trafalgar Park assembled on Saturday afternoon, when the quickstep competition in connection with the Band contest was held. There were nineteen com-! peting bands. Previous to the func-! tion at the Park the bands assembled! at the Church Steps, where they I uio\ed off at intervals, marching to the grounds by way of Trafalgar, Bridge, and Collingwood streets. The ucinity of the Church Hill and the line of"route held many thousands oi spectators, and it is quite safe to say tlieat never before in Nelson —or New! Zealand for that matter—has such a large number oi bands taken part in such a. gathering. After the last band had moved oil the crowd surged towards the Park, and when the competition commenced shortly after two o'clock, there were estimated to be seven or eight thousand people present. During the war, and on the occasion of the English football team's visit to Neloon, the Bark held large numbers, but those in a position to 1 judge, consider that Saturday's crowd eclipsed all previous ones. Up to tills point the weather had been line but cloudy, with a fresh northerly breeze blowing. But, unfortunately for the public, the beautiful weather conditions which had marked the contest up to that afternoon, did not continue, and many an anxious eye was turned to the thick bank of clouds coming up from the sea. At about 3.30, a squally shower came on. As verv few people had anticipated such an'unwelcome change, ,and were not provided with vain coats or umbrellas, a large number of those present made for home. .When the thirteenth Baud v Auckland City) took up their position, another shower fell, and the 1 ark in a few minutes presented a comparatively deserted appearance. The people in tho pavilion were comfortable enough, and so were a number of others seeking shelter under tho trees; but the contest, which had been so eagerly looked forward to, was now practically over so far as the large majority of spectators was concerned. It was particularly unfortunate that Nelson claim to the "City of bunshine"—which had been fully maintained during the week—should have received such a- blow! As a matter of fact, however, by four o'clock; the wind had dropped and the weather remained fine, but chilly, for the rest of the afternoon. The arrangements for tho afternoon were well carried out. The whole of the enclosed portion of the. ground was reserved for the bands, and they took up their position in turn without undue delay. The last band finished about 5.15, and while.the points were being added up massed bands, under the conductorship of Mr Wade (the judge) played the march. Only seven or eight bands took part, the remainder having left the grounds earlier, on account of the threatening weather. At the close, three hearty -cheerswore given for Mr Wade on the collet the Mayor of Nelson (Mr W. - W.» Snodgrass). The announcement oi results placed: Jnvercargill Hibernian first, Woolston second, and Auckland Garnsou third. If- is iuterer.ting to note that the National Reserve Band scored the most number of points for time ana pacing, completing tho required number of paces in one second under the time allowed. The Band is to, be congratulated on the good result achieved iu this respect. , Tlie detailed results are appended : Ist prize, £3O; 2nd, £ls; 3rd, £10; and gold medal to Drum-major of winning band. Selection "Black Night." Total military .

points, 200. Total points for music, 100. Total pts., 300. . : ' nn 1 Invercargill Hibernian 1884 92 280* 2. Woolston 181* 91 272§ 3. Auckland. Gar. Art. 184| 86 2701 4 luv'rc'g'll Gar. 1849-16 85 269-9d6 5. Wellington Tramways 1794 88 267-£ ! 6. Bth S. Canterbury 178* 89 267| 7. Oisborne City 179* 85 264| 8. Palmerston N. 173* 87 260£ Napier City 178* 82 2604 10. 9th Hawke's Bay 173 86 259 11. Westport Gar. 173 f 85 258§ 12. Auckland City 172* 86 258* 13. Greymouth Cit. l?si 82 257-i 14. 12th Nelson Rgt. 17€ SO 254 f St. Kilda.. 1671 87 254*. 16. National Reserve, 165 gBO 245| 17. Master ton Municipal 1681 7S 243|; 18. Chcli. Tramways 152 85 237 \9. Ist Canterbury Rgt. ISO* 75 225* The judges were as follow: Music, Mr Wade; military, Captain Kidson, Captain Jamieson, Lieut. Gillman, and Lieut. Mountfort; instruments, Mr A. Townsend ; and the timekeepers'Messrs A..G. Shrimpton and R. Hunter. Mr R. W. Stiles, was marshal.

The drummer of the Gisborne Band was awarded the. prize for the best tempo on the march.. BESSON SHIELD For highest aggregate points for music in test selections and quickstep : iWoolston, 144-138-91 . 373 ! HAWKE & SON'S SHIELD j For highest aggregate marks (includ!ing drill) in Grade Ai Woolston, BOOSEY TROPHY FOR A GRADE Woolston. BOOSEY TROPHY FOR B GRADE. Bth South Canterbury. Invercargill Hibernian Band scored better marks in their drill than did Woolston, and van the latter band, very close for the Hawkes Shield, with a total of 5S3i points, being only l-£ points behind th e winner. The National Reserve Band obtained the highest points for time and paces—49 out of SO. The winners' points for this were 47£; Woolston, 40; Auckland Garrison, 47. Only two bands did the distance in the exact time, and only two did the distance in the correct number of paces (120 K The Auckland Garrison Artillery Band secured the maximum points '(30) for dressing, intervals, and steadiness. Auckland Garrison obtained the highest marks for general appearance. _ Four bands secured the maximum points for cleanliness of instruments. VR KSKNTATKWOF I*II IZES The contest was brought to a close at the Botanical Reserve in the evening, when selections were played by the winning bands, and winners of the quartettes and trios, and the prizes presented by Dr Thacker, President of

the South Island Brass Band Association. The night was beautifully fine, and there was. again a'large attendance of the public. The representatives of the winning bands were all loudly applauded on stepping oh the platform to receive their prizes, as were also the winners of the various medals. On the platform, in addition to the Mayor of Nelson (Mr W. W. Snodgrass) and Dr Thacker, were the judges and members of the executive committee of the association, and ajso the committee of the contest. The Mayor briefly introduced Dy Thacker, who in his introductory remarks apologised for the absence of Mr H. Atmore, M.l\ On behalf of the baudsmen, Dr Thacker thanked the Mayors of Nelson, Richmond, and Motueka for what they had done for them. Bandsmen had told him that they could not have had a liner time, and were particularly pleased at the way the residents had treated them. 'Dr Thacker went on to say that the Nelson people did not realise what a grand little city they had, and he was convinced that the way they had turned out to the various functions proved that thoy were not "sleepy." Ho. congratulated the Nelson Committee on the way the contest had been carried out, and also the winning bands. O nthe call of Dr Thacker cheers were then given for the winning bands and their conductors. Mr Estall, the conductor of the Woolston Band, and Lieut. Osborne, the conductor of the Ashburton Band, made brief speeches of thanks. Cheers were, then given for Mr C. Leaper (secretary of the contest committee), the executive officers of . the association, and the local committee. On the call of Dr Thacker three cheers were given by the bandsmen for the people of Nelson. , Later in the evening the judges and officials of committees met at the Haeremai tea rooms and spent a social hour. The Mayor of Nelson presided.

hi presenting the first prize in the 13 Grade test to the conductor of the Astln'ibrtoh Band on Saturday night, J}r Thacker referred to the second and third bands as "sports,'' as they could have protested against the winners, but refrained from' doing so. It is understood that an allegation was made that the Asliburton Band included a number of A grade men. DEPARTING BANDSMEN Yesterday morning ,the Arahura left at nine o'clock for Wellington with several hundred bandsmen. The bands marched to the steamer, and there was much enthusiasm as the vessel moved off. The wharf was crowded, and on the call of the Mayor, the bandsmen were cheerefl, the compliment being lustily returned. There-was much good humour, and from all appearances the visitors had'thoroughly enjoyed their stay in Nelson. We desire to thank the press stewards (Messrs Alt Robinson and R. Sin. clair) for the prompt way in which the results of the various competitions were handed to lis.