The Southern Cross PUBLISHED WEEKLY. Invercargill, Saturday, Oct. 13. A CARNIVAL WEEK FOR INVERCARGILL.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 29, 13 October 1894, Page 8

The Southern Cross PUBLISHED WEEKLY. Invercargill, Saturday, Oct. 13. A CARNIVAL WEEK FOR INVERCARGILL.

That “ music hath charms ” has been abundantly manifested during the last few days. The band contest, which comes to an end in the Theatre Royal this evening, attracted a very large number of visitors to Invercargill, and has, despite some untoward circumstances, proved in every respect a most successful function. When this place w&s chosen as the scene of the contest for 1894, the committee of management determined to make it an event woi.thy to be remembered, and as one means to this end fixed the first prize at £IOO, the largest amount ever offered at a band contest under Association‘rules in the colony. Some people thought this was a trifle, ambitious, but the result has fully justified the spirited policy adopted. The public patronised the various items into which the tournament was divided most generously. They rolled up in large numbers to welcome the visiting bands on Tuesday ; they flocked in thousands to the quickstep competition on Wednesday afternoon; and at night the theatre has been packed by eager listeners to the contest selections. The arrangements, —with the exception of the provision made for the admission of visitors to the Union Grounds on Wednesday were good, and the members of the committee deserve every credit for the way in which their onerous duties were performed. The success which has attended the contest revives a question asked from time to time, viz.—“ Why shouldn’t Invercargill follow the example of Christchurch and Dunedin, and have a Carnival Week ?” Were that established, there would be no difficulty about cheap railway fares ; country people would get more enjoyment than they do now, and at less cost; the various shows

would be more largely patronised; and the office-bearers of the various societies interested would achieve better results with a lesser-expendi-ture of time and energy. No doubt there are some difficulties in the way of such a course, but the time seems opportune to suggest that an effort should be made to give effect to the proposal indicated. It only wants someone to make a start and endeavour to get the various societies “ into line ” on the subject.