BAND CONTEST.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 827, 16 February 1903, Page 2

BAND CONTEST.

MR ORD HUME’S CRITICISMS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerston North, last night. In an interview by a representative of the Manawatu Daily Times, Mr M. Cohon, President of the North Island Brass Bunds Association, replios to the caustic "riticisui on tile Association by Mr Ord Hume, the English judgo of tho contest. Mr Cohen pays tribute to Mr Huuio’s qualifications, but says that tho unwarranted attack carno as a groat surpriso in view of Mr Ilumo’s remark that the recent contest was tho best conducted he had over beon associated with, a contest ontircly guided and governed by the rules of the Association which Mr Hume so sevoroly condemned. Unfeigned surpriso was expressed by Me Cohon at Mr Hume’s remurkublo statement that if the Association’s object was tho advancement of brass band music tho Association was not achieving that object. He says the advancement must bo comparative, and anyone who had followed the development of the Association must admit the splendid improvement of the affiliated bands. Tho statement is all the more remarkable in view of the fulsome praise accorded to tho Wellington Garrison Band's performance, which was ranked with tho noted bunds of England. Mr Hume said : 11 It is as good as I can ever possibly expect to hear ; it is perfect braes band playing.” Is not such playing, asks Mr Cohen, an evident sign of advancement ? Referring to Mr Hume's statement that tho rules of the Association should be broken and were broken by himself, Mr Cohen says that one does not expect a judge who, by accepting such a . . position tacitly agrees to be bound by the ' rules affecting the appointment, to glorify a wanton breach thereof. Mr Cohen completely refutes tho statement that the Association was not representative and waa controlled by one band. The rules which Mr Hume could not have read provides for an annual meeting of delegates, two from cacb affiliated band, who elect from among themselves the whole officers of tho Association who hold office for twelve months only, and the officers to number thirty-five. Of these only ten reside in Wellington, and two only, one vice-president, being members of the Weliiogton Garrison Executive. The committee consists of ten members from all parts of the North Island, and only one member of the Wellington Garrison. The contests are absolutely controlled by the local committee appointed by the citizens in tho town of tbo contest. Great things were expected of Mr Hume as adviser and educator, and it was anticipated that tho faults of the management would be pointed out and assistance given to amend them. All the Association received was very bald, not say unmannerly criticism, conveyed to a Wanganui interviewer, based upon distorted knowledge of facts or entire ignorance thereof. Mr Cohen declared his in- ' tention of replying to Mr Hume through a Home band journal. He much regretted that Mr Hume’s remarks had lent color to the assumption that better judgment had been warped by a private disturbance, with which he (Mr Cohen) had nothing to do no more than he had with their difference of opinion as to tho necessity for upholding the dignity of the judge’s position, and Mr Hume’s method of so doing.