Pipe Band Contest Sidelights

Chronicle (Levin), 15 February 1949, Page 4

Pipe Band Contest Sidelights

Levin has had its first band contest, and tnat everything went off ...»i,ootniy and without any serious complaints is a credit to all concerned. : . * * * One cause for. gratification. was . the exceLerit response by citizens . in turning out in such large numbers, while the good. work done by che Junior Chamber of Commerce in handling the publicity was respdnpible for bringing many visitors to the town, with the result that ' the eombined gate takings for the* vday .amounted to £164 18s Od; the afte^noon saw £114 7s 6d collected, t while at night £43 13s Od was seeured, the sale of 'season tickets - amounting to £6 17s 6d. ./ * * * Programmes , were in keen demand and by 2 p.m. the entire issue was sold, bandsmen making sure they had a souvenir- of the contest, and favourable Comment . was forthcoming on its compilation. A thousand copies were printed and already quite'a number of these are on their- way to Scotland. ' * The talk of the town during the weekend was the excellent performance of our own band — the Horowhenua Highland. To defeat iwo A grade bands in the Quickstep was no mean feat, and great credit is due to Drum-Major Eames for bringing the band to such a high standard in the short time he has been with them. Perhaps it would not be giving secrets away to repeat a remark of the military judges after the band had finished its course — "Here is a man who has complete control of his band" — while the b ealing of the drumrnajor when coming forward to receive the trophies the band had won, the Graham Wise Memoriai Cup and Medal, also drew forth favourable comment and applause from the audience. ■ i Pipe-Major Yorston also has cause for gratification as his drummers.were successful in gaining fiist place equal to hold the Andrew Swan Memoriai Shield for six nionths, the band gaining 23 points out of a possible of 30 for drumhiing. With the necessary practice and support, Drum-Major Eames j and Pipe-Major Yorston . can lodk * forward to further successes for their band, and it is to be hoped , that every member will rally round and attend all practices, not do as some bands after a contest, Iet up, and by their efforts bring fresh "laurels" to the town and district. ■t * The only "fly in the oifitment" during the contest was the- uriau-. thorise'd removal of a tent from the. grounds. This was borrowed fqr the day, and it is to be hoped that - whoever took it will have the decency to return it. Failing this it will be an expensive item to replace. * « * j' * ... The profits of the contest are j divided among competing bands, j Horowhenua getting 40 per cent-. jand other visitors the remaining 60 per cent. to 'defray travelling ex.- ! penses. * * * Many complimentary remarks were passed to the ladies' committee by visitors for the manner iri • which the catering arrangemepts were handled, no fewer than 516 bandsmen securing their meals at the Regent Hall. The energetic committee, headed by Mrs. ' J. Perigo, comprised Mesdames J. Spiers, W. Winiata, H. Hartiey, Dome, McLean, J. Griffiths, Gilbert, Saint, W. Harvey, O. Hudson, R. Thompson, Mearing, Lambert, W. Hatch, M. Spencer, Smith, Maugham, Kellaway, Jameson, Clayton, I. Patterson, A. Dobson, J. Clarke, H. Frew, Waters and Miss Atack. Mr. O.' Hudson was the doorkeeper and had an extremely busy time. * * * A pleasing feature of the contest was the facilities extended to the Press, arrangements being made for them to have the results as soon as each event was concluded, along with the judges' comments..