QUEEN’S OWN BAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 158, 6 July 1934, Page 4

QUEEN’S OWN BAND

NOT GOING TO MELBOURNE CONTEST DATES TOO EARLY i A meeting was held lasc night of the Citizens’ Committee of tire Queen Alexandra's Own Second Regimental Band, together with the committee oi tire band, and committee of the Westmere division of the Regiment, Mr. E. W. F. Gohns (president), being in tin chair. A full report was submitted to the meeting in respect to ’the propos-ed visit of the band to the Melbourne Centenary band championship, Correspondeuee was read irom Mr. 11. J. Sullivan, secretary of thv Victorian Band League, advising that the Melbourne Centenary Baud Championship Contest, which was to have been held in January, 1935, had been abandoned in favour of holding the contest the week following the Victorian Centenary Band Championship at Ballarat, on November 1,2 and 3- Mr. Sullivan stated that it was expected that the bands attending the Ballarat contest would also attend the Melbourne contest. The prize money and music are to bo the same al bo’th contests, but. different judges will officiate. Present indications pointed to all Australian States being represented at Ballarat, including tne Woolskon Band, New Zealand, which has definitely decided to make the trip. He further stated that the week that the Melbourne cliaiupionship was held would be the principal period of the whole celebrations, as the Melbourne Cup will be run on November 6, while on Sunday, November 11, will witness the dedication of the shrine of remembrance, the most important Centenary ceremony. Authorities estimate that i’t will be attended by 3t)U,UOU people. Correspondence was also received from the Hud-dart-Parker Shipping Co. and the Union Steamsh-p Co. offering the band most liberal terms should a visit to Australia be made. The members of the committee were disappointed to learn that, the original date of Lhe Melbourne Contest had been altered, which now makes it quite impossible for the bund to arrange the necessary finance, owing to short notice. It was pointed out by the Huddart-Parker Company that the latest date for leaving Wellington would be October 25, arriving at Melbourne on October 31, the day before the Ballarat Contest opens. The following resolution was earned:— “That owing to the short period in which the band would have to raise the necessary funds to attend the Melbourne. Contest in November next, our visit to an Australian contest be abandoired in the meantime, bu't that every effort be made to increase the finances of the band, thereby enabling it to be in a strong financial position.” Several other matters of important nature were dealt with and it was decided that the band and the Westmere Division of the Regiment hold a military ball at an early date.