BAND CONTEST.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4608, 12 March 1902, Page 5

BAND CONTEST.

NEW PLYMOUTH EN FETE. NOTES AND ANTICIPATIONS. THE FIRST DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. Special to the “Times.” NEW PLYMOUTH, March 11. The pretty capital of the province of Taranaki ip not often the rendezvous for such a crowd of visitors as at present is filling the hotels and boardinghouses, and making the streets lively. Hence the demonstrations of ■welcome and jubilation are more marked than they would probably have been anywhere else on the occasion of the annual meeting of the North Island Bands’ Association. All along the principal street of New Plymouth, and a very fine street it now is, there are displays of flags, bunting and evergreens, while huge strips of canvas are stretched across the thoroughfare at intervals, bearing such legends as “New Plymouth welcomes her visitors,” “ Sounds and sweet airs that give delight,” “ Harmony in bands—bands in harmony,” “ Music hath power all hearts to sway,” “ Such music as ’tis said before was never heard.” There are now fourteen instrumental bands here, among the last to arrive being Palmerston North and Wanganui Navals. The judge, Mr Otto Schwartz, reached here this morning. The Wellington Garrison Band gave a concert yesterday evening, which was a great success, though the audience was not so large, as it would have been but for a malicious report being .spread that the event would not take place. There is a good deal of heartburning among members of the different bands, who assert that the Wellington hand has gained an unfair advantage by performing in the building where tho contests are to take place, as it thereby gets a knowledge of the acoustics of the Theatre Royal which others do not possess. There may be something in this, but, at the same time, I hope it is the case t hat musical jealousy was the origin of the rumours that tho concert would not he held. Among all the visiting bandsmen the most commanding figure is the DrumMajor of the Masterton . Municipal Band. * . , , As is usual on occasions of tins Kina various prophets are at work prognosticating the result of the bands’ championship. One, who claims to speak from expert knowledge, places the three first as follows: —Masterton, 1; Waihi, 2; Kaikorai According to this gentleman, the Wellington Garrison Band will only have fourth place, while Palmerston North , al }“ Wanganui Garrison are placed sixth and seventh respectively. Many people consider that, while the Waihi Band has a good prospect of winning, an instructor having been specially imported from Sydney, with the result that the band is highly efficient, the Wellington and Wanganui Bands will occupy a much higher position than is accorded them in tbe prognostication. A very popular outing wasth© garden party tendered to the visiting bands by the ladies of New Plymouth, which took place in the recreation ground this afternoon. Tho whole of tho hands met in Eminent street a little before two o’clock and marched in procession to the beautiful public reserve, the weather being fine, though cloudy. It was an inspiriting scene as tbe bands, at intervals of two minutes, marched playing up the street, which was lined by thousands of people, but it was truly magnificent when, amid the unmatched surroundings of the recreation ground, with the added adjuncts of a “record” crowd, refreshment tents, etc., the various bands discoursed sweet music, finishing by the eight hands being massed and playing a march. The effect was exceptionally fine, and evoked loud plaudits. . The wins of the Wellington Garrison Band in the baritone and flugel horn solos this morning are very popular. In the marching and playing to-day, the Waihi and Wellington Garrison were most admired. The tone of tho Waihi Band was accorded the palm. As showing the crowded state of the town, it may be stated that one hotel alone has sixty boarders sleeping on other premises. Your “special” considers himself lucky in getting a shakedown at the Terminus, which is convenient, while its gardens are a source of pleasure. It is fully expected that Mr Cohen, of Palmerston North, will be re-elected president of the North Island Bands’ Association to-night, as under his presidency the institution has been most successfully managed. PRESS ASSOCIATION. NEW PLYMOUTH, March 11. The Band Contest began this morning. - The following competitions were decided:— Baritone Solo—P. Dixon (Wellington Garrison), 77 points, 1; W. Yeoman (Dunedin Navals), 75, 2; J. Doig (Kaikorai), 73, 3. Fin gel Horn Eades (Wellington Garrison), 75, 1; W. Cooper (Denniston), 74, 2; S. Greaves (Wanganui Garrison), 66, 3. . . The trio and quartette competitions were taken to-night, but up to 11.50 the results were not available.