BRASS BAND ASSOCIATION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12686, 13 February 1912, Page 5

BRASS BAND ASSOCIATION.

m . . „ ' :.. . . . ANNUAL MEETING. Tho fifteenth annual meeting of tht North Island Brass Band Association Avas held this morning at the Borough Council Chambers, Lieut. -GoL: Pringle. one of tho vice-presidents, occupying the cliaii*. The delegates present- Avere as iolloAvs :— , , Messrs J. L>. Hunter, President (Kaikorai Band), J. :R. "Kirk, vice-president (Gisborne), D. Charker, treasurer (Palmerston North), jas. Chrisp (secretary of local committee), E. R. Miller and G. li. Buscke (Gi§b£rne), W.. Loavo, Hastings), Elder and Mayo (Masterton), Williams and ,otevens (Westport), J. Anderson and J. iMeuli (Wanganui), A. Gilletti and A. E ; Heath (Waihi), H. J. Bray (Whaiigarei), Kendall and E. Perron (Palmerston North), and E. R. B. .Holben (secretary). The report (published m our last issue) and bajance-sheet were read. The .chairman then formally moved their adoption, the motion being seconded by Mr Anderson. Mr Kirk said there were tAvo items he Avould like to have a full discussion on : one A\*as the clashing of contests m South and North. It avss a matter of satisfaction to hear the proposal of the Association. The other matter Avas the proposal to cut out the B grade competition, Avhich he thought Avas a pity. The motion Avas carried. The chairman said the name of Mr W. Lane liad been inadvertently omitted from the list of vice-presidents. In proposing a vote of thanks to MiLane for tlie donation of a comet the chairman said it Avas fortunate the com- | mittee had such men Avho were so interested m the contests. — Mr Lane, m returning thanks, said he first arriA-ed m Gisborne on February 16, 1875, and when he heard tlie contest was to be held at Gisborne he thought he would give some instrument as a prize. Mr Mayo moved the following resolution, of Avhich notice had been given, 'That bands competing m . the North Island Brass Band Association's contests be permitted to engage the services of one outside player." He pointed out that a number of the . competing bands came from country districts and unless they could engage a player of some standing they were at a disadvantage. Mr Holben said it liad been ruled tliat no such man could be engaged, but it was possible, m the event, of a leading player not being able to get • away through sickness, for the other bands to agree to the band so affected engaging an outsider to make up its complement. The engagement of outsiders used to be permitted, but the privilege Avas abused. Mr Buscke said the Gisborne^ Band had at one contest so engaged a player. Mr Anderson, m seconding the motion, cited examples to shoAV that a band should be permitted to engage, an outsider. The cltairman did not think m the case «of sickness any band A\-ould object to players engaging another man. He couftiselled them to leave the rules, alone, otherwise it would open the door to abuse. Mr Elder spoke m favor, of tho motion. He pointed out that under tlie present conditions it was possible for a band to lose a top-notch player at the last minute and unless proA*ision was made for the band to get, another man. they Avould be thrown out of the competition. Mr Holben pointed out tliat as the rules stood at present, no band tliat had gone to a contest and had a bona fide case of sickness had ever been refused a player. After further discussion the motion Avas lost by 9 to 5. Mr Mayo also moved a resolution submitted by the Masterton Municipal Band to alter rule 5 regarding the marching contest. The purport of the alteration Avas to have the military judge a short distance from the bands instead of marching close to the band. — It Avas agreed to instruct military judges to tliat effect. The following .notice of motion Avas submitted by the Wellington Garrison: "That m future marching contests the bands shall march on the ground where the competition takes place." There being no delegate present from the Wellington Garrison Band Mr Anderson proposed the motion, and said he thought it referred to practising, and if so it Avas a very desirable thing. Mr Holben took it to mean that if a band practised on one ground, it would not be required to march tliree or four miles m the country. He never knew -of an instance Avhere a band had to march so far. They could not expect every toAvn to have a marching ground m the centre of the town. It Avas these marching demonstrations that attracted the public. Mi* Anderson Avithdrew his motion, in. view of the secretary's explanation. — Tlie chairman said that m any case the motion could not be moved, as no delegate present was instructed to act for the Wellington Garrison A notice of motion from the Petone Municipal Band regarding the amalgamation of the North and South Island Associations lapsed for want, of a mover Mr Gillette moved a resolution submitted by the Waihi Federal Band : "That steps be taken to get a reduction m travelling rates for bondsmen to contests, and duty on instruments." He said he thought it was the expense of transport that had kept a number of bands from tine present contest. — Mr Holben said an effort had been made previously Avith the same object, but nothing came of it. It Avould be competent for the ..Government to meet the Bands Association the same as they did the Fire Brigades' Association, and other bodies. — • Mr Anderson thought they had a better oluance of getting a reduction Avhen the North amalgamated Avith the South. — It was decided to leave the matter m tlie hands of the incoming executive. A notice of motion from the Nelson Garrison Band, that soloists be allowed to compete when their bands do not take part m competitions, lapsed for AA r ant of a mover. The election of officers resulted asfolloavs: — President, Mr L. Cohen, Wanganui (re-elected) ; A'ice-presidents, last year's list re-elected and the folowing added, Hon. Jas. Carroll, HJ' Campbell, (M.P. for Hawke's Bay) and W. F, Massey (leader of Opposition) ; executive committee, Messrs J. T. Muir, J. Mounsey, W. Jupp, D. Pringle, C. Dunk, J . Higham, arid Lieut. Herd (reelected), and Messrs Mayo, J. Anderson, J. Meuli ; secretary, Mr E. R„ B. Holben re-elected); treasurer, Mr D. Charker (re-elected) ; official time-keeper, Mr J. D. Hunter (re-elected); trustees, Major C. Dunk and Lieut. -Colonel Pringle (re-elected) auditors, Messrs Rutherford and Conn ell (re-elected). The chairman suggested that the Blenheim Band be asked to liold over their resignation until after the conference regarding the proposed amalgamation. This Avas agreed to. The chairman said the question o( amalgamation \vas a burning one, for it was going to be the end of contesting if the North and South were to continue bumping against each other. It Avould be far better to have one association for the Avhole of New Zealand. There Avas nothing much m the way of assets to quarrel over. He did not knoAv whether they should approach the South or the South should approach them. Mr Anderson : As Aye haA*e brought the matter up, let us approach them. The chairman suggested discussing the subject and then referring it to the executive, with power to act. Both associations could not live and be successful by themselves. — Mr Hunter said the bands m the South seemed agreeable to amalgamation. — Mr Anderson moved that the matter of amalgamation be left to the exectutive Avith poAver to act. — Mr Hunter seconded the fhotion. — A general discussion ensued, the proposal being supported by all the speakers. Mr Holben said unless they got amalgam ar tion, they would have to make a rule prohibiting North Island bands from taking part m South Island contests. — The motion was carried. Mr Chrisp intimated that the Gisborne committee desired to place on record their appreciation of Mr W. Lane's gift of a cornet. Mr Chrisp proceeded to complain of disloyalty on the part of the North' lsland bands m not supporting their own association's contest, and, instead, going to Christchurch. He thanked the bands present for their loyalty.

Mr Anderson said he A\-ould like to take the opportunity on behalf of the Wanganui Band to say that the accommodation provided for them Avas firstclass. The chairman said he had made enquiries from the various bands and they all expressed themselves perfectly satisfied with their accommodation. The chairman proceeded to eulogise the AV^ork of the local executive. Mr Holben deprecated the fact that for six bands and the few soloists competing at the present contest the cost of music amounted to £48 15s 6d. This liad been brought about through increasing the tests from one to four. He spoke m favor of the A and B grades being again amalgamated. Mr Kirk, who had to leave the meeting m the early stages, returned at this stage, and spoke m favor of amalgamation, but expressed the hope that the A and B grades could be kept separate. If necessary he thought a fund could be, founded for keeping the B grade going. Mr Anderson suggested that the difficulty could be got over by having nomination and acceptance fees. Another suggestion he made was that there should be the same • selections for the B grade bands, only that the tAvo grades should, compete separately. He moved 'tliat .m .future bands pay a nomination fee of 255, six months prior to the con-, test, and subsequently pay an acceptance fee of another 25s. — Mr Elder seconded the motion-whiGh-A*««as--carrii3d. The chairman- said they could / riot, fix dates or place for the next contest until the question of amalgamation had been disposed of. Mr Anderson brought up the question of the conditions m connection Avith tlie counter marching, aud pointed out that the. rules Avere unworkable. — Other delegates endorsed Mr Anderson's 'contention.—Mr Miller said the Gisborne committee had found the eight paces unworkable, so they used their oavu discretion. — It Avas decided to recommend tliat the paces be increased from 8 to At Mr Anderson's suggestion it Avas decided to do away Avith the left foot question m the same rule. A few accounts Avere passed for payment, and a vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. I