BAND CONTEST

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10846, 11 March 1921, Page 5

BAND CONTEST

FIRST FOR TWENTY YEARS TO BE HEED IN- WELLINGTON NEXT FEBRUARY. THE PRELIMINARIES. A proposal that a Dominion band contest should be held in Wellington during the months of January and February, 1922, was laid .'before a meeting of citizens called by the Mayor (Mr J P. Duke) at the Council Chamber, Town Hall, last evening, lhere were between thirty and fort"" interested persons present. “STRONG MUSICAL SPIRIT.” The object of the meeting was explained by Mr Luke, who occupied the chair N He spoke of the necessity for reviving interest in band contests in Wellington. Unless the young people ere encouraged to take in band music the educative and stimulating effect of music 'would be lost to the community. As long as he represented the citizens he "would do all he could to make the hand contests a success. Any function that tended to uplift the people was worthy of support. The financing of the contest was a matter to 'be considered, hut he had not the slightest doubt that the money would he forthcoming, because of the enthusdasdsm 'that was bound to he shown in hand, music. The people sould realise that the city required a “bump up” and £IOOO would he better spent for the purpose of a band contest than upon some other proposals. He .hoped the contest would he a great BU.xess and a credit to Wellington.

Mr Luke then put to the meeting the following motion:— “That all present at this public meeting are of the opinion, that the time is opportune to encourage a strong musical spirit among the people of the Dominion, and to further that conviction, arrangements he made to hold a Dominion band contest in this city during the first week in February, 1922, and all _ present pledge themselves to do alt in their power to make.the occasion an undoubted musical and financial success.” TOTAL COST £IOOO. In seconding the motion Mr E. Palliser outlined the negotiations which had led. up to .the present proposal. Application had been made last year to the North Island Band Association for a contest to be held in Vvellington in January, 1921,' but owing to a dash with the Nelson contest in the same month it had been realised that such a date, would not he suitable. The promoters of the idea considered that on opportune time for the contest would, (therefore, he February nest year. The total cost of the contest was estimated to figure out at about £IOOO. He had roughly worked out the finances, and thought they should cleir a small profit. ' Mr W. Jupp said it was twenty years since a band contest had! been held in Wellington, and he thought it wa.s time they should ‘‘wake up.” The resolution was carried, lyGUARANTORS WANTED. A large committee was ce® up to secure guarantors for funds, to a total amount of £IOOO, and. to make oil arrangements in connection with the contest. - It was decided to ask ‘His Excellency the Governor-General to act as patron. The Mayor of Wellington was elected president of the organisation. Mr G. W. Jenner was selected as secretary, and Mr J. L. Arens as treasurer.