BAND CONTEST

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1935, Page 9

BAND CONTEST

TARANAKI EVENT AT STRATFORD. PREPARATORY ARRANGEMENTS. The annual contest of the Taranaki Brass and Pipe Bands’ Union will be held at Stratford this year on March 21 and at a public meeting called last night at Stratford by the president of the union, Mr. P. Skoglund, a general committee and an executive were appointed to control the contest. The Maydr, Mr. J. W. McMillan, presided over a good attendance.

Stratford had held two or three successful band contests which the public appreciated, the Mayor said. There was no reason why the contest should not be a financial success but, in case of loss caused by. wet weather, a guarantee of about £5O would be needed. He felt the public would willingly support a contest as it had done on previous occasions. There was no doubt that a band contest properly organised was an advantage to the town. A guarantee was required only for incidental expenses, Mr. Skoglund said, and the weather would have to be particularly bad to make the contest show a loss, for rain fell for the last one at Stratford and no money was lost. A portion of any profit would go to the Taranaki Band Union and the balance would be divided among the competing bands.

Mr. Skoglund said that, as the New Plymouth and Hawera B grade bands had rejoined the union, there would be three bands in that section, including Stratford. There would be four C bands, Eltham, Inglewood, Patea and Manaia, while it was possible that Opunake and Hawera C grade bands might attend. He thought the four Taranaki pipe bands could be depended on, so it was likely that a total of 12 bands would be engaged. Much depended on selecting a suitable date, said Mr. D. J. Malone, as the public would not attend an evening outdoor performance after March. The following general committee was appointed: The Mayor and Messrs. W. Eagar, D. Butchart, T. W. Smith, J. H. Burmester, A. E. Hunter, P. Skoglund, H. Voght, G. Lowe, C. Fisher, S. W. Whyte, W. Mills, R. G. Watson, W. Pellett, W. Haskin, W. D. Young, P. Thomson, D. J. Malone and A. Close. The executive elected was: Messrs. P. Skoglund, S. W. Whyte, D. J. Malone, W. Mills, T. W. Smith, W. Eagar and G. Lowe.

The committee, at a subsequent meeting, made Mr. Malone chairman. March 21 was selected as the date for the contest and March 7 as the closing date for nominations.