THE BANDS CONTEST.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2369, 29 December 1898, Page 3

THE BANDS CONTEST.

Per Press Association.

DUNEDIN. December 27.

The brass bands contest was continned this afternoon when the E flat bombardon, BB flat and trombone solos were got through, the judge reserving his decision. In the evening the test number “ Herold”was played, six bands competing, The piece is lengthy, but presents no great difficulties, and it is anticipated that the results will be. very close so far as this selection is concerned.

A meeting of delegates was held in the afternoon, when , it was decided to accept the invitation from Timaru to hold the next contest there. It will probably be held in the early part of October.

The Bands contest at Dunedin was in- / augutated on Tuesday ' morning in the presence of a large crowd of people, by the ‘i* massed bands ” playing the “ Moa . March in the Octagon. This, says the Otago Daily Times , was a disappointment as the *bands did not “ mass,” the performers numbering little more than a single band. The promise of a big volume of sound drew a large crowd„which was then ready to accompany the bands to the Caledonian Grounds for the Quickstep competition, and the road thither was “ one moving black mass from .Princes street to the grounds.” The weather was very favourable and there was a large attendance. Major Jowsey and Captain Forrester were the judges of drill and marching. As each band advanced it first fell in for inspection in two ranks. Points were awarded for general appearance, dressing, cleanliness of instruments; but, in the awarding of points, uniformswere not considered, Tneband then moved off, playing the quickstep, marching once round the parade ground to the starting-point. The next movement was that the band marched off in quicklime and playing the quickstep , over a space of 100 yards, the conditions relating to this being that the distance should be traversed in one minute and in 120 paces. After one or two other minor evolutions, the test was at an end Only the winning band had that imposing dignity a drum-major. The following was the score of points :-rDrill Music Pts

The South Canterbury Band lost one point on inspection, and one on parching wheeling and dressing ; gaining full marks for time and number of steps 100 yards, 110 steps, in 60 seconds. At the four previous contests the Quickstep competition was won by the band of the town where the contest wjis held.

South Canterbury Battalion Band 78 29 107 Wellington Garrison ... 70 30 100 Kaikorai 69 30 99 North East Valley 65 28 93 Stanmore 58 25 83