BAND CONTEST.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 814, 31 January 1903, Page 3

BAND CONTEST.

BANDS TO BE INVITED TO GISBORNE NEXT. YEAR.

A' large meeting was held at the Borough Council chambers yesterday, to consider a movement to have the next contest of the North Island Bauds Association held in Gisborne, The Mayor presided, and said that the main thing to decide was whether they would guarantee sufficient to enacle the contest to lie held in Gisborne. For this purpose £2OO would need to he guaranteed, though it did not follow that the amount would he required. Mr T. Morrison said that the object of the City Band in going to the contest was to seek to have the next contest held in Gisborne. As many towns were eager to have the contest held in their locality, it would 1 be I necessary for the delegates to be prepared to give a guarantee. The two bands would co-operate in the matter He read a letter from the Secretary of the Association, stating that as I Gisborne had not the first refusal of the 1904 contest, it would be well for the delegates to come prepared I with a guarantee in support of their claim. There would be 400 to 600 | bandsmen at the contest, and as attractions, such as .a garden party I would be got up during the week, the expenditure should 1* easily made lip. The Association, added Mr Morrison, I in reply to a question, took the entrance fees and 15 per cent, of the profits. I The Mayor said they probably could J not expect as many hands in Gis- I borne as in other towns, but still a large number could be reckoned on. Mr Morrison said there never had

been less than stated. Some perhaps could not conic on one day, but as the contest lasted about a week they were able to get there during the period. Last year there were about flfln present. The Mayor said that it made a big difference where there was railway communication with many parts, and also is must be remembered that Mr Morrison referred to a place where they had the most attractive grounds in New Zealand for such a purpose, and where the people entered into the spirit of the thing with enthusiasm ; where they were fully alive to itho advantage of such things, and whether it was racing, band contests, or other gatherings that would attract the people, thoroughly supported the movement, and made it a success. It would be necessary here for the people to enter into the thing with public spirit, and make it a success. Mr Spurdle stated that the letter did not explain the position correctly and he explained that, when two years ago, he had gone to Wanganui as delegate of the City Baud, he had, With the delegates of the Rifle Band, fought to have the next contest held at Gisborne. They had only been defeated by one or two voles. Then he asked what about the following year, and was told that 'it was to be held in Nelson then. lie enquired how it came that Nelson was on the list for I that.. The reply was that they had put in a claim, and he said that in that case ho would make sure fo-r the succeeding year, and accordingly put in a claim for 1901 ; the present contest should have been held at Nelson.

The claim he had put in was ..signed by himself and two delegates of the Rifle Band. They should adhere ta that claim, and it was mainly to explain the circumstances that he bad eome to that meeting. Mr Nolan said that quite irrespective of such claim, they should do their best to get these bands to come to Gisborne, as it would be a good tiling for the district. It would induce a lot of strangers to come, probably some who had not heard much abouc tiie. place before. It would be a splendid advertisement, and would lie thought also be a financial success. It would be very welcome for those interested in music, and taken altogether, they should not miss an opportunity of getting the bandsmen to hold next year’s contest in Gisborne. As to one thing, he did not agree with the statement by Mr Morrison that the City Band were going down mainly to try and get the next contest held in Gisborne ; he thought the main object was to try and win the first prize. The projected visit to Gisborne would be beneficial to the district, and he was willing to assist in any way towards that end. He thought the Mayor should be authorised to The Mayor : To invite them here ? Mr Nolan : On behalf of the citizens, The Mayor : Oh, I would give them a free invitation. (Laughter.) « Mr Nolan proposed that the Mayor be authorised to instruct the Band

delegates to give the necessary guarantee of a fund of £250 for the holding of the next contest iu Gisborne. Mr Oman : You ask the Mayor to give the guarantee for. the citizens ? Mr Nolan: SVc will easily, get the guarantee. Mt Sheridan : Wo should know how, the guarantee is to be made up. The Mayor : On behalf of the citizens I would give the guarantee, and then get it from them, in due lime. There would be no difficulty, about that., , • , Mr Barry said there would be no difficulty about getting the guarantee. Mr Nolan ; There would only be the proportion of any loss to pay. It was mentioned that there was a profit of £SOO at New Plymouth, Mr Barry said that it would be better lor the Mayor to get a list, showing what each one was prepared to pay pro rata. He would second ,tbc motion. Mr Nolan said that in the meantime the Mayor could be authorised to give the guarantee., Mr Spurdle said that it would be better to guarantee a little more than was actually required. Mr Morrison said that they had already placed down a hundred more than was asked for. In the course of his remarks, Mr Spurdle had said, amidst laughter, than one of the points used against him in debate was that the bandsmen woulu not be able to land in Gisborne, and he thought they might go farther, and give them a guarantee ihat they would be landed all right. Mr Morrison explained that as many other towns were eager to have the contest such ridiculous arguments as that about the harbor were used to influence votes. Mr Miller said that he would heartily support the project, but he desired to sec it put on a business-hke footing. That meeting had no right to put the townspeople under a guarantee without their consent. “ Let us go round to them,” added Mr Miller, and ask them. lam prepared to make one of, a committee to do so. You know how difficult it will be to get this money afterwards. If we decide to commit the townspeople to a guarantee of £250 we will have to pay it if there is a shortage.” Mr Nolan said that there would he no difficulty about the matter. Mr Barry : I lake it that later on the Mayor or some one will do as Mr Miller suggests. The Mayor (to Mr Miller) : Well, go round. Mr Miller : Let a committee go round. The Mayor : llow do you know we will want it '! Mr Miller : Wo may. He went on fo mention a ease in which there had been difficulty in connection with the gavment of expenses. Mr Sheridan agreed with Mr Miller, lie said that he did not anticipate difficulty about the guarantee or the money, but it was always difficult to collect money after a function was over It would be more busiuess-like to go round and get a guarantee even if was signed by only twenty peojvj r Webb : A guarantee of £lO each would be sufficient. Let us start it Mr Sheridan said that though there would probably be no need to call anv money up, they must be prepared for any contingency, such as wet . weather. , . . , The Mayor : Twenty-five of us at £lO will be sufficient,S4s iauier: I with !£i Hchh ,

start in the room. Mr Barry : Better let us go round. Mr Nolan : Let us have it in the room. Mr Sheridan : Yes, that is business. Mr Barry said no doubt they would soon get a guarantee in that way, but he thought it would tie better . to go round, and get as many good people as they could to share in the guarantee.

Mr Miller said tiiat he was hear and soul with the Baud in the matter — The Mayor : Put your name down (Laughter.) Mr Miller : Yes, f will. Mr Webb : You would get the am-

ount guaranteed in the town in half an hour. Mr Sheridan said that it would be better not to state a £lO sum, as people would think they would have to give that. Mr Miller : Some will lie able, and wi'ling to give more than others. The Mayor : Then it is carried that the Band delegates be authorised to invile the Bands, on behalf of the citizens. Mr Miller : I would sooner wait and see.

The Mayor : How long ? Mr Miller : I will go round with you now. lUr Webb : Wc can get the guarantee in the room. From what the Mayor said he would give it himself. (Laughter.) The Mayor : Oh, no. Mr Miller proposed an amendment

that a Committee take a list round, and it they were satisfied with the response, then to give the authority. That was the only business way.. Mr Aston said that there had been a deficiency of £7O at Napier.

Mr Miller : That shows the necessity of doing things in a businesslike way. ! Mr Sheridan said they must further i remember that Gisborne had a lesser | population. Mr Barry : Of course there is a risk. Gr Morrison : If there was no risk a guarantee would not be required. It, was resolved that a list bo taken round for signatures tc the guarantee, and if the committee were satisfied, to give the delegates authority without any further, meeting. Mr James asked if they were to understand that both bands were to co-operate. Mr Nolan : Certainly, Mr James : What is the date of that letter ? The Mayor : September 20. Mr James : And this is January 30. This is the first intimation the Gisborne Rifles Band have had of it.

Isn’t it ratlier premature ? Mr Miller : We had better to get at the bottom of this. If there is to be opposition between' the bands I am not going round. Let us have it. Mi Morrison : I don’t anticipate any opposition. That was the first time the letter had come before the citizens, and they had invited the members of the olher band to attend. Mr James : To what meeting .were they invited ? Mr Morrison : This one. Mr James : The whole thing is rather premature. Mr Morrison : We cannot take it upon ourselves without the support of the citizens. Mr James said all they had heard about it previously was what they had seen in the papers.

Mr Morrison said he hoped the Rifle Band did not feel hurt about that. Mr Nolan : This has been the first meeting ? Mr Morrison : Yes. Mr Aston : Had we known, our band might have met before and instructed the delegates. Mr Morrison said there was no liability on the bands except as citizens. They were not asking for any favor ; only that they should work together to make this a financial success. Mr James : I understand we are asked t o co-operate ? Mr Morrison : Yes. Mr James : Then I say the meeting is premature, I, as one of the delegates of the Rifles’ Band, have nor had an opportunity of meeting members of the Rifles’ Band and conferring on the subject. I might have been able to give some information. I am almost sure that they are nearly

unanimous to come here. This might have been done months ago in an amicable way. Mr Nolan : "Are not these gentlemen under a misapprehension V—this is a meeting o[ citizens, not of bandsmen.

The -Mayor : Yes ; if there is a division between the hands, the worst that will happen will be that the public, will not have to pay. Mr James : It is only a matter of principle. The Mayor : We have nothing to do with differences between the bands. Mr James : .We have had no differences.

Mr Spurdle said that, the letter was merely a reply, to one sent hy Mr Chrisp. fci Mr Sheridan :Wc have nothing to do with the letter. Mr Nolan said that it was simply a letter written to the Secretary by. Mr Chrisp and duly answered.. Anyone could have written for information in the same way. It had nothing to do with that meeting. The Mayor : Except the point about expense. Mr Nolan : You had better get round with the list. The Committee took the hint, and the meeting broke up. Ida short time the Committee obtained the necessary guarantee, but it is intended to increase the number, so that the pro rata share will be

further minimised. The letter referred to was as follows “ Wellington, September 20, 1902. Mr James Chrisp, Secretary City Band, Gisborne. Dear Sir,— Re yours dated September 15, I can t say that Gisborne has the first refusal for 1901 contest, but your representative, Mr Spurdle, at Wanganui, entered a claim for 1903,which you know went in favor of Masterton In the meantime, Palmerston North had claimed for 1903, and in default of that 1904. Of course, nothing has been settled as yet ; therefore, you would be quite correct in ascertaining what, support would be forthcomj ing for such a function.”