NEW ZEALAND BRASS BANDS ASSOCIATION.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8160, 15 April 1895, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND BRASS BANDS ASSOCIATION.

The annual meoting of delegates was held on Friday at tlio Star and Garter Hotel, whon tho following bands were represented : Wellington Garrison, Christchurch Garrison, Sydooham, S nnmnro, Ciiiterbury Engineer- 1 , Tumru Garrison, Wainuto, O.innru Garrison, Onmaru Naval*, Dunediu Nftvale, Kaikorai, Invprorgill Garrison, and luvercirgill Guards. MrFiow, as vice-president representing Oamaru, was in tho chair, and in oponing Iho meeting s«id that it would have botn butior had the President of the Association boon in his placo, as tho business to bo brought before tho meeting was of more importance than (hat brought before any yet held by tho AsiocUtioo. Uo did not anticipato that tho decisions arrived at it their meeting would give general satisfaction, but ho trusted that whatovor their decisions might be they would be for tho boncfit of tho Association in general. In his remarks on tho unsatisfactory stito of Affairs in connection with tho lato contest j held at Inverc rgill, ho wii9 of opinion that at tho mooting In Id prior to tin c aitest, when tho matter in dispute win brought up, that it should havo botn settled then, but it showed voy clearly (hat their rules required overhauling, bo ay to make them more dtiinito, so that only one decision ould bi taken from them, for wore they bo decisive the trouble over the last contest would not have arisen, After tho minutos of tho previous meeting nnd the balnnco-shoot had been toad, the meeting adj >urncd till the arrival of some of the southern delegates Ht 3 30. After tho adjournment tho election of officers for tho yo.r was proceeded with, resulting as follows : President, Mr YV. H. Wyun-Williims ; vice-presidonts (8), Mrasrs Mohr (Invercargtll), Robertson (Dunedin), Stratton (Kuikorai), Frew (Chmaru), W->lf (Timaru), Searell (Christchuroh), M'Li'in (Sydenham), Hord (Wellihgron); Kxccutivo Comn>ittee (5), Messrs Davie (Knikortu), Diokenson, Smith, Jackson (Dunedin), and Lano (Oanmu). The result of the elec'ion for a comraiitee changed tho headquarters of tho Association from Ohiistohurch to Dunedin, and Mr Robt. M'Lpllhd (Dunedin) was elected secretary, and Mr John Wilson troasurer. For auditors Messrs B. H»nlon (Dunodin) and W. S. King (Oamaru) wore elected. A notice of motion from tho Guards' Band (Invorcargill), "That in tho opinion of (his meeting (ho motion p+f-aed by the Executive Council on tho lGth March last disqualifying tho Invorcargill Garrison Band and Dunedin Engineers Bind from taking part in the contest to bo hold at Timaru ia of a very stringent naturo, and respectfully urgo upon tho aaid Executive to rescind tho motion." The notice of motion waa dUcussed at some length, and the general opinion was that tho rules had been infringed by the bands disqualified, and that tho Executive hud no alternative ; but it was considered that as the committee- had given their verdict before tho pioteuts had been decided, it was their duty to ivoonsider it, and if tho protesti" came bofore tho Supreme Cou^, tho Court would give a roading of tho rules that would settle the m^tur in dispute. An amendraont to refer tho wholo matter back to tho oonsidowlon of tho incoming committee was, on the casting vote of the chiir, cirried. Great consideration was then given to amonding the genertl and contest rules, so as to provide against the padding of band* for a contest with memhen of other baids. Rule 4, as amended, says : "That no player sha'l bo allowed to play in more than one band, except in cases of o rergency, and with the unanimous consent of all competing bands ; nor shall any person be a member of moro than oi o affiliated band." All alterations and amendments were fully diaoussed, and matters in connection with tho election of judges wore provided for, A le ter has read from Messrs Besson and Co., of London, ottering a L5O challeiige cup. to bo competed for by tho affiliated bands, under iho rules of the Association, but as it was hommed round with a number of conditions which the AssociaMon could in no way comply with, tho letter was ordered to lie on ihe ttblo. After h largo amount of ordinary busi-* ness was disposed of, the meeting concluded with tho customary votes of thanks.