Stratford Mill.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7764, 16 March 1905, Page 2

Stratford Mill.

HAM) CONTEST. ' Tin' st'oiid event of the Stratford Carnival, the Hand Contest, took place on Wednesday afternoon in favoumlf.e weather, there bring u very fair attendance in Victoria l'urk, where the contest wan held. Oaly three bunds competed, namely, Stratford, kupongu, and Kltham, the Waitura Hand failjiu In |iut in an appearance. Ilroudwuy presented a very aniinut'ed ap|>eurance while (lie bunds were marching from ltegan Street to the |>ark, aiwl the spirited music wliioh was rendered was greutly enjoyed. On reaching j the ground the bands were formed ' up ond the instruments inspecti .1 by Mr I). McKinnon Bain, after which the marching contest was comment'- J ed. The Stratford Hand, placing "MaA'ppa," commenced o|tcratloiii, and though somewhat ra^,,l in . their line, put in some u'or.l work, j their plujing being very creditable. This band, however, contuined two players with reed instruments. so was not strictly a brass hand. The lvaponga men came next, plaj inn "Wairoa," and both their marching and playing created a most fa\ouralrle the only drawback tieing a lack of Miviiulli in the bass, Th.-v deserve very gr.nit, credit for 111,- excellent efVee'ls which they produced, some of the soil passages being part ieiilarly sweet ill tone. Tlio last 4>and to eoin|»etc was Kit ha m, and they sulierwl some- < what, so far as api>earutiiie W „ K i concerned, by being un-un'iform,'d. Although doing very good work, e*peeially in the marching, they were outclassed by the other bunds in .their playing. The judges' decision was : Strulford 1 Kaponga 2 Eltiiaiu 3 Tile details nf points were Stratford.—lnstruments ami - Accoutrements (maximum It'), T ; cad.cuce (10), 7 ; correct marching (10). 8 ; puces (!20), 1 ; dressing (20j, 7 ; music (80), oil. Total, !»8. | liaponga.—lint luments und occoutreiuents (maximum 10). 7; cadence (10), 9 ; correct marching (10). 18: paces (20). (> ; dressing (20), 8: •music (80), -15. Total, 83'. I Kltltom.—lnstruments and accoutrements (maximum 10), (i ; cadence | (10), 8 f correct inarching (10), ■> ; paces (20), 1f» ; dressing (20j, 7; music (SO), :!(). ToiaJ, 78. | 'I ho verdict came as a considerable surprise to son.e of those present, who were confident that Kaponga had tak r en first place. The ) solo competition took place at the (Town Hoil in the evening. Mr (leu. tlarry acted as musical judge, while Lieut.-Colonel Okey und Captain (i. Cock awarded the points for the niai'diing. Captain McMillan carried' out the duties of marshal most cfllcient'ly.