BAND CONTEST.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12475, 27 February 1909, Page 3

BAND CONTEST.

■•'. ♦ . — — r tUNITED'PHEaS ASSOCIATION.! ': Hastings, FeK.26, Last evening at the Band Contest the first test in the A and B grades was held on the racecourse. The grand-, stand and lawn were beautifully'illuminated by electric light, and splendid weather prevailed, the night being very still and calm, with a clear " atmosphere and an early- but bright moon. The attendance wassplendid. fully 2000 people being present. ■ Six B grade bands "'and three A. grade bands came up for the judge's decision and the test selection in A grade was "Songs of Scotland," and in B grade "II Crociato in Egitto." The following are the awards (maximum 200 points) : B Grade.— Hastings .163, Petone 160, Gisborne 1501 Stratford 146, Hawera 140, Manaia:l3s. '..■■' As was expecteU in the A grade, Wanganui Garrisoji were easily first, being allotted .' 194- points ; Newton (Auckland) were second; 181 pointsj and Palmerston North third, 178. The judge remarked that this test was the best he had heard in the Dominion. He had not heard the winning band before; and he was very pleased to have had the opportunity of coming to Hastinjgs to hear them. The solos had been exceptionally; good, and he would have liked to have given full marks, but slips had been. made. The E flat horn competitions:resulted:—Taylor (Newton), .86 points -1 ; J.May (Hastings), 81,2; B.May (Hastings), 80, 3. There were, eight competitors. , ' The 12th annual meeting ot the North Island Brass Bands Association was opened this morning,^ Mr ;M. Cohen presiding. All the affiliated bands were represented/ The business on the order paper will occupy the whole day..'>_. .''■■'!'■■.-■.■ ■ '.. ;- : -.■■■;.•' .■■ ..■. .