THE COMING BAND CONTEST

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2083, 8 January 1908, Page 1

THE COMING BAND CONTEST

KAILvORAI BAND OBJECTS TO THE JUDGE. STATEMENT BY LIEUTENANT HERD.

Special to Times. WELLINGTON, Jan. 7. Lieul. Herd, tlio -well-known Lundmaster, who has been appointed jud* r <“ for tlio forthcoming band contest! replies to the criticisms of the secretary of the Ivaikorai Band. He denies tlio assertion about- ins having got the points out of the judge for the first night’s playing at Masterton, and that ho admitted the tacts at a meeting held the next day. What did happen was that, much to his disgust, the judge unasked tor, and in the presence of Mr. J. Mixon, of England, divulged the number of points gained by the bands on the ulaving of tlio first selection. liv so doing the judge broke the rules of the Association. As on© ot the nrst members of tho executive committee, and as ono who started the Association, Lieut. Herd felt it his duty to endeavor to have the rules istiict i\ observed, and lie did not .approach the judge in any way. Lie tc t that it- was his duty to report the breach of the rules, and lie did so to Mr. E J Oakes, of Wellington, then secretary of the Association at the same time asking him to cal a meetmo- of the masters ol bands taking part in the contest. This was done. Tho matter was put before them, and thev unanimously approved ot Lieut. Herd's action. feasibly the judge had not made liiinscll a<-(juamte<l with the rules of the Association, and lie divulged the points without his knowing there was any harm m so doing. in regard to the test piece. Incut. Herd said it was quite true, tint lie cabled Homo for tie vocal score ot “Lobreo (not the f-U* score, and not “Sebreo. as apparently stated in Air. Osbornes otter)"; but he did not send the cableoram until it was publicly known Hi at tin* tost piece was to be taken from this opera, and then any othei band conductor could have done the same thine. Therefore, he filled to sec how°tlie Kaikorai band could substantiate its contention that he Lad taken an unfair advantage, ioi

Unit was practically whit their accusation amounted 10. It was highly objectionable to have such charges as these made against him, a professional musician, and he was quite agreablc to have any such charges investigated at any time.