PASSING NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7802, 5 September 1903, Page 7

PASSING NOTES.

The half-yearly meeting of the Canterbury Engineem' Band was held in the band's hall, Sydenham, on Monday evening, August 31. Bandmaster; D. Blyth > occupied the chair, and he spobe at some length on the position of affairs, and explained the scheme by which it was hoped tc-'bring the band to a high standard. He mentioned that the first step towards this was the engaging of Mr W. S. King as conductor, and now that the Christchurteh Council had accepted the band as one of four to play ji£_the municipal concerts, at a fair remuneration, the committee could see a more prosperous future looming up, and it only wanted faithful /attention to practice on i the part of members to bring about the consummation, of his and. the band's adminers' desires. . After going fully into matters affecting the |telfare of the ba^id, the membens partook of refresh^ mentsy an<J a pleasant social hour was passed. Several toasts were Honoured during the evening, the principal being "The Bandmaster," '^Conductor," and "Other. Officers." It was decided to send a letter of sympathy to Messrs A. E. Hobbs (secretary) and Powell^ who have been ill for some time. Several bandsmen have spoken to ma about the decision of the Timaru Contest 'Committee to bar soloists from playing whose band does not take part in the contest itself. The programme provided for a soloist competing, whose band' could not take part, on payment of 21s, and, as several were prepared, to pay the extra amount, the news received, excluding them, is disappointing. It is reasonable to assume that their oiiginal entry money will be returned. The Mayfield Band is advertising for a good general blacksmith — a bandsman is wanted, preference being given to a cornet pla^tr. The smith, will require to have knowledge of agricultural implements. There is a good chance for a $rilljng bandsman. High praise to a 'New Zealand bandsman, and a Wellington player, is given in a recent issue of the "British Bandsman' by a musical contributor, "X Rays." Writing of a concert at the Crystal Palace by the massed bands, he has the following : — "The next band piece was a quartet front 'The Yeomen of the Guard,' by the New Zealand Band, supported by the whole of the massed bands, and the playing of this quartet revealed a marvellous trombone player in Mr H. Oakes, whose neat execution and clean tone delighted all listeners. He was, in my opinion, the best trombone player' of the day." Mr Harold Oakeo is a member of the Wellington Garrison Band, and won the first prize for the trombone solos at the Masterton band contest, Mr J. .OroVHume -giving him 98 marks out of a possible 100. ; The August number of " The Australasian Bandsman "is to hand. It is bright and interesting, and contains a fair share of New Zealand news. Mr Gartrell, theeditor, has' a strong article on the ignoring of the Hinemoa Band by some Home band journals, Messrs Wright and Round's "Brass Band News" iit. particular. ( He points out that Mr Isles, who managed the band's tour, is the proprietor of the " British Bandsman," and there is great jealousy between these rival houses; out that our band should be made to suffer through this jealousy will be anything but pleasing to New Zealanders. Messrs Wright and Bound reap a nice harvest from this colony, and when I tell them that some £3000 has i