BAND CONTEST.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11501, 6 February 1903, Page 8

BAND CONTEST.

RESULT OF THE MARCHING COMPETITION. (SPECIAL TO "THE PKESS.") 'MASPERTON, February 5. The B flat trombone solos were taken this morning, and the B flat cornet solos iim the evening, whilst the quickstep competition itiook place in the afternoon. _ The trombone solos were so good that the judge decided to recommend an extra certificate to be .given ito LifirJb, of the Wanganui Garrison Band, who finished fourth. Oakes, the winner, was only two points below the maximum nuirJber of marks. The two points lie lost because 6ome of th e slurs in one movement were not according to the copy, although the player phrased correatiy. The opinion of the judge was heartily approved by the audience, who selected Oak«a as the winner directly his solo was over.

Oakes is a well-knowm Wellington player, a member of the Wellington Garrison Band, and (brother of Mr F. J. Oakes, (secretary of itihe North Island Brass Bands' Assoeiatoon.

Siddell, ef Demniaton, who was three points behind the winner, produced a good solid tremfbone tone, and Ms performance was in every way clear and neaifc, but he lost some marks because his method was « shade "elddy" in tOie slurred portion of a cadenza near the end.

OltiConnell, of Nortih-easi. Valley, the third man, wanted a little moTe expression, though faia tone wvis good in tempo and varialtion eacedlent.

In the marching or quickstep competition at the Agricultural Grounds in the afternoon, the fifteen bands conipeted tvMcTi played in the first test, piece on Wednesdlay night. The following was the ordier in which tlie bonds competed: — Denniston, • Waihi, Nopih-easb Valley, Gisiborne City, Wellington Garrison, Southland, Kaifsorcu, Wanjfanui, Woolston, Palmenrton North, Masterton, Hawera, HauKiki, Kutihine, and Taraiiakd. The separate ipodrvtg gained for military display and music by each hifci were:—Wanganui Garrison Band, 65 poinlts for military display, 76 for music, total 141, first; Wellington Garrison Band, military points 595, music 74, -total 1335, second; Masterton Municipal Band, military points 61, music 72, total points 133, third; Hauraki Band, military 60, music 65, total 120, founbh. The other scores were—Palmerston North, miMtary 655, music 54, total 119$; Kaiikcrai, military 535, music 65, tatul 118$; Taranaki, military 67, music 61, total 118; North-east Valtey, military 48, music 62, total 110; Denniston, military 50, music 52, total 103; Hawera, military 58, music 44, total 102; Southland Battalion, military 49, music 49, total 98; Gisborne City, military 51$, music 45, total 965; Waihi, military 475, music 48, total 955; Woolston, military 47,, music 48, total 95; Ruabdne, military 425, musio 40, total 925. The win of the Wanganui Garrison Band, whicli was received with enthusiasm ty its supporters, must be reckoned as largely due to the steady and consistent practice which the members have been quietly doing during the past couple of months. The Wellington Garrison, on the other hand, sufftied badly from ineufficient. rehearsal. The surprise of the day was achieved by the Masterton and Hauraki Bands in finishing third and fourth respectively. Both bands marched well and made a neat display. A bass and side-drum competition was won by the Waihi representatives,""!!. Cox (side-drum) and A. Terrill (bass drum). The Kaikorai representatives, J. G. Osborne and J. Smith, were second, and the Southland Battalion men third.

Before the proceedings concluded, the massed bands assembled in front of the crowded grand stand, and, under the baton of -Mr J. Ord Hume, played the march "Kimutaka," composed by Mr Xj. T. Riissell, of Nelson. It is estimated that three or four thousand people were present.' More than £270 was taken at the gates.

Someone in authority made an extraordinary blunder to-day in computing the returns for the marching contest. By some oversight the points for cleanliness of instruments were forgotten, and it was only late, to-night that the error was discovered. The correct returns, as announced to-night at the Town Hall, place the Masterton Band second and Wellington Garrison third. The amended result is as follows : —Wanganui Garrison Band, military points 75, music 76. total 151, first; Masterton Municipal Band, military points 71, music 72, total 143, second; Wellington Garrison, military points 68i. music 74, total 1425, third; Hauraki, milifcarv poicts 69, music 65, total 134, fourth. The other competitors were:—Palmerston North, military points 74£, music 54. total 128Jh Kaikorai, military points 62£, music 65; total 127 i ; Taranaki Garrison, military points 66. music 61, total 127 ; North-East Valley, military points 56, music 62, total 118: Denniston, military points 58, music 53, total 111; Hawera, military 67, music 44, total 111; Southland Battalion, military 57. music 49, total 106; Gisborne City, military 60i, music 45. total 105 i ; Waihi, military 565, music 48, total 104$; Woolston, military 55, music 48, total 103; Ruahine, military 625, music 40, total 102$. In the B flat cornet solos to-night, G. Buckley, the well-known cornet player, of the WanSanui Garrison Band, scored the full number of marks (100). This is the first time the maximum number of marks has been awarded in the present contest. Mr Ord Hume, speaking of Buckley's playing, paid that many a band in the Old Country would be proud to have him. Buckley, who >was formerly a member of tho Garrison Band, several prizis at New Zealand contests.

It is considered to-nigjht that the championship will rest between Wanganui and Wellington, with the first-named band for preference.

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