BAND GOSSIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5686, 3 October 1896, Page 7

BAND GOSSIP.

— <•— FROM FAR_AND NEAR. [By Tomtom.] Tho Melbourne Band N&ws has kind things to say respecting my column in the Cany terlmvy Times. .huil: rholoung, late of the Oamaru TCr-vtils, is now quartered at Zeohan, and is doiuc;- well. Jack and Bandmaster Caddie Bhov.ld play in a harmonious strain. They an- ix n-eil-known southern pair. The railway fellows in Melbourne are decidedly nmsidal ; so, too, are the officers of the department. Their annual meeting . was characterised by a superabundance of jollity, harmony and good feeling— three attributes somewhat foreign to many bands. Messrs J. A. M'CuUough, W. F. M'Lean and . R. Trist Searell were the prime movers „in starting a Band Association in Maoriland. . It, may sound peculiar, but. ,L believe I. am,, right in saying thjit Cftristchureh.inen w.ere. the first in .the world to take practical steps to form a bands' association. It was in,thi3 city that the first meeting of bandsmen was held for the laudable object of forming fin association. Soon after, South Wales, Yorkshire and Lancashire followed suit ! The foregoing is no empty statement, but is a distinction which I am pleased to be able to record to the credit of Christchurch. I would suggest that Christchurch be the scene of a grand federal band contest gi 1900. Why not ? Whcr has a better yclaim ? And why should not this city be r' selected? '; Members of the Oamaru Garrison Band jA-e busy at the two pieces, and I hear that "Ipr King has worked up the selections 1 splendidly. Wellington Garrison will be alonghere • Boon, and we can expect to hear this fine band on' the Sunday preceding the contest. The .members will be quartered at their old favourite house — the Foresters' hotel. When I notified that Herr Von Der Mehden would present each band in this colony with full band parts of a specially-^ written inarch, "Harmony/ I did so at his special request.. I played my part, and have been rushed' with applications for copies. Up .to date the genial Mehden .has not forwarded the parts, therefore those irate correspondents must not blame me for. the non-fulfiment of the contract. I can only wait until they come to hand, when I will forward immediately. . "Grandiose" (Dunedin) writes: — Our fellow 3 are doing their best to excel in the test music. Kaikorai are doing splendidly, and this favourite band is infinitely better than ever. Those who ought to know aver that Kaikorai leads the Dunedin bands in every department, and certainly the practices are well attended, and the esprit de corps strong. Personally I consider Kaikorai's chance splendid, and have great belief that the Kaikorai Brass Band,will shine. The Garrison and Citizens' Bands are playing well, so are the Navals. By Monday's mail my indulgent correspondent "Tromba" sent me details respecting the Wellington Industrial Exhibition Contest, 1896-97. , " Our contest will be quite a record one, and we confidently expect a record entry, especially if our Garrison should do as well as we hope at Dunedin. It will have a distinctly new element, for we are sure to have Auckland, Hawke's Bay, West Coast, and of course, a percentage of southern bands/ I note, after a careful perusal of the rules, that they are identical with those of the Association, consequently they need no special mention. Entries close on Oct. 19j and the contest will extend over the following dates:— Dec. 30 and 31, 1896, and Jan. 1 and 2, 1897 ; the Marching Contest is on the last-named date. The appointments of judge and Eupervisor have not yet been made, but in true harmony with the Wellingtonian thoroughness it is idle to anticipate other than a wise and highly satisfactory select tion of these necessary officials. "Tromba" will keep me posted up to date, and as I intend being on hand :to hear the musical battle in the Empire City, "Tromba's" contributions will be exceedingly -welcome. An old Canterbury bandsman writes as follows from Coolgardie: — "The familiar Canterbury Times is not a stranger here, and I send you the Goldfields Courier for friendship sake. Gold is the ciy here ; shares also, bnt not much band music. We have a sing-song now and then, but we cannot as yet raise a band. There are many here, however, who woiild join should one be started." In a country bands contest at Invercargill, on Sept. 23, at Gore, the Bluff STaval Artillery Band was first in the test piece wifch 67 points, Win- j ton second 60, ' Gore third 60, Milton ! 56, Mataura 53, West Plains 46. Quick- ' step— Gore 129 first, Bluff 127 second, "Vinton 117 third, Milton 107. Mr W. V. Siddall, of the Invercargill Garrison Band, was judge.