POSTPONED BAND CONTEST

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 33, 9 February 1931, Page 4

POSTPONED BAND CONTEST

Several correspondents have written to "The Post" commenting on the decision to postpone the band contest. "Severn Suite" states: — ' "Much regret and inconvenience by all the bands, as well as the general public, will be felt by the postponement of the much-looked-for contest: This contest was decided on two years ago, and considerable time and money have been expended by bands in training for same, and I would like to ask why the local committee has backed down at such a close date to the event, when every preparation has been made on all sides. Surely it is not on account «of depression or the earthquake, for the Wellington body have a large surplus of cash from previous contests,, and to make certain of finance this time, the profits could have been donated to relief funds, and the visiting bands could have assisted in a massed demonstration for the same cause. Now that the contest is off, will all other events of sport and amusement be cancelled in Wellington? ... It cannot be a fear of financial loss that has been the deciding factor by the committee, for the public have not seen a contest here since 1927, and large audiences are assured; beside the attraction of at least seventeen bands and followers in the cfty, for which accommodation has sfiso been secured; what, then, is the cause of this bitter setback to bands and soloists, and music lovers jn general. Perhaps the Contest Committee will explain '!" "Allegro" writes: "The decision lias caused keen disappointment amongst "local bandsmen, not to mention bands elsewhere. If the present depression is the cause (which, the Contest Committee omitted to mention), surely they realised that two months ago; it would have saved time and worry if it had been abandoned then, but to wait until within three weeks of the contest and then postpone it, when all bands interested had put night after night ot practicing hard, not to mention the heavy expense each bandsman incurred, demands some explanation. Jn my opinion the committee has lost a golden opportunity; they could have held the contest and devoted half the proceeds to the Mayor's Earthquake Relief Fund, and I am positive that the public would have attended just as well as in previous years. The quick-step competition itself would have produced at least £500. The use of the Town Hall could have been obtained at a reduced rate for the week, as well as Athletic Park for the quickstep. There are four bands left in tho A grade and about eight or nine in the B grade which would have made it very interesting. Moreover .it w:ould havegiven the bandsmen a chance to demonstrate in a practical manner their sympathy with earthquake sufferers."