THE TIMARU BAND CONTEST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7667, 28 March 1903, Page 6

THE TIMARU BAND CONTEST.

Fully, fifty persons attended the meeting held in Timaiu to consider the proposal to hold a band contest- at Timaru towards the end of the present year. The Mayor presided. In opening the meeting his Worship said that [he was pleased to see so many present, as it showed that a great deal of interest was taken in the proposal. A ccntest had been held in Timara in 1895, -which was a great success in every way. j Circulars hud been sent to the various bands, and replies had been received from j twelve stating their intention to compete. After further remarks a motion was brought forward that a combined' brass and pipe band 'contest should be held. This was carded by a large majority. The question of finance was then, taken up, and on the suggestion of Colonel Jowsey it was decided to canvass for guarantees, not for subscriptions. A number of those in the room gave their names as guarantors bf various amounts from one to five guineas (the Mayor's offer), the total being thirty guineas. It was considered that a guarantee of £200 would . be sufficient. A general committee was then elected— the Mayor, Lieutenant-Colonel' Jowsey, Lieutenant-Colonel Reid, Captain and Adjutant Foden, Captains Gillies, Beckingham, Raymond! and Moore,- Lieutenant Kerr, Sergeant-Major Jones, Messrs Hole, Gunn, T. Hawkey, Grandi, Hu'rdley, Bryan, Rev Father Tubman, -Messrs F. Hathaway, Lillteo, Kent, A; B.' White and R. Griffiths — with power to ; add' to their number. The public meeting then closed, with a vote of thanks to the Mayor. The members of committee present (a good many were appointed in their absence) met to discuss some details, biindsmeri being asked to assist. * It was resolved that the Mayor should be chairman and Colonel Jowsey Vice-chairman of the committee ; MrW. Gunn, treasurer ; Mr R. Griffiths, secretary ; and Bandsman Himberg, Assistant secretary. The Hon W. Hall- Jones was elected patron. The 1 appointment of a supervisor was held over, Captain Gillies to be requested to accept the position. . On the suggestion of . Mr Cameron it was decided to cable Home t& Boosey and *""if. ■ < ■'■'■:. "" ■•■ ■ .V.-- , "

I.'n. and Messrs Wright- and Round for one ■test selection" from each, to be as mslodiou-s as possible to please the public ; and that each bund find its own quickstep, and each soloist his solo, so as to ensure variety —again for the benefit of the public, A good deal of discussion took place on the question of appointing one or two judges. It was stated that so much dissatisfaction had been given lately by single judges, that three of the bands which had replied mad© it a condition of their competing that there should be two judges. Different methods of selecting judges were described, as by nomination or by election by competing bands. It was said that the Timaru contest was admitted to have been the most successful yet held, and in that case the committee appointed the judge without any reference to the bands. It was finally resolved —"That applications be invited from qualified judges willing to act, stating the fee required; the question of appointing two judges to be deferred for further consideration." With regard to pipe music, it was resolved that the Secretary should communicate with people- likely to offer their services as judges, i Colonel Jowsey, Captain Foden, Ser-geant-Major Jones and Mr Gunn were appointed- to draft a programme, suggestions being given that, the nriz-es for the Brass Band Contest should be £100, £50, £25 and £10 for the. Test Selections; £20, £10 and £3 for the. Quickstep ; £20 for ?n A^regate-ot-points prize '(Selection, Qu idlest en and Drill) ; about £40 for trophies (medals; etc.) for i?oli!s. (No instructions were given, regarding the Pipe Band Contest.) It was mentioned that at the last contest nearly every solo:st received a. " special"' prize, given by various townspeople. Mention was mane of a (Jhallrng-e Shield now held by a Wellington bard, which ought to be ..available for this contest, and it was decided to mako some inquiries about it.