THE BAND CONTEST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 4 July 1907, Page 2

THE BAND CONTEST.

There was not a good attendance at the public meeting last night in the Town Hall to make further arrangements for the forthcoming Band Contest to bo held at New Plymouth. His Worship the Mayor, Mr. E. Doekrill, presided. The chairman read apologies for uon-altendanc-e, and then went on to regret the want of a representative meeting. - ! /■■ Mr ,1. Clarke, secretary pro tern, read correspondence from Mr E. ft. B. Hoben, soeretitry to the North island Brass Baud Association. He stated that music had lieen ordered, and would be in Palmeision ready for distribution to the bands three months prior to the, date of the contest. He advised that the. contest be held in the latter end of February. The music ordered by the Association consisted of two selections of twenty parts in each, also conductors and judge's score. For the first time the competing bands will be classified into what will be known as A and I! glades. That was to say, all bands who have won a first, second or third prize at the Association contests for the last three years would lie classified as A grade bands, while other bands would be known as B grade bands. Two shields were supplied by the Association, one known as the championship shield supplied by Messrs Besson and Co., of London, and a li grade shield supplied by Messrs lioosey and Co., also of London. In answer to a letter, asking for some information, Mr Hoben wrote giving particulars of prizes. About six bands in the colony would be graded as A grade bands, the B hands being much in the majority. In solo compel if ions there would be only one grade. Jn view of the small attendance, there was some talk of adjourning in order to secure a better meeting. , Mr J. Clarke, however, pointed out that adjournments were most unsatisfactory things. He was sure that those present only needed to put some life into the movement, and it would go ahead properly, and they would have the public behind them in ten days. Already a week had been wasted, and time was quite short enough. Mr Weston agreed. He considered the people in New Plymouth were only half asleep and could easily be awakened to llie advantages of holding the contest here and the seriousness of allowing the lhin« to lapse. A committee was set up to canvass the ..•'own for guarantees: The Mayor and Messrs .1. Clarke. W. C. Weston E. Sole. F. Vwall, H. E. Eount-ree, E. Whittle and MConnell. At a .-ueeting 0 f the cominitte neld subsequently the committe was divided mlo four sets of canvassers, each with its :i'uv p-irfio of tin borough. Opera- . lions will be commenced today.