"DEGRADING AND CONTEMPTIBLE."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 199, 20 February 1914, Page 5

"DEGRADING AND CONTEMPTIBLE."

BANDSMEN ON THE CARPET. OTHER SIDE OF WANGANUI'S STORY. Auckland, Last Night. Two bands have been identified in an official report with the disturbance which was made at the conclusion of the "A" grade quickstep competition in the Domain on Saturday afternoon. The Wangimui Garrison Band is named aa one of the offenders, the other being the Wellington City Band. The Better was discussed at a 1 meeting to-iliy of the Contest Committee, with the result that instructions were given to the secretary (.Mr. J. R. Williamson) to communicate the facts of the incident to the North Island Brass Bands Association. In a letter which he addressed to the secretary of the Association, Mr. Williamson describes tfie manner in which the bands had been arranged for a performance of the inarch "Imperator,*' under the baton of tlio adjudicator (Captain W. G. Bentley). When the {signal to commence the performance had been given "the two bands on the left of the conductor, instead of playi»g the march music, saw fit to raak« noises with their instruments and to play music other than the set piece. *Oiptain JBentley'a appeal to these bandsmen to desist was without avail, with the result that the performance had to be stopped. Upon Captain Bent ley resuming his position, the member# of these two bands went through the performance which is known as "counting out" the judge. When order was eventually restored, the inarch was gone on with, and with the exception of perhaps three or four members of the two bands, the latter took no part in the performance. "The offending bands were.the Wangnnui Garrison and the Wellington City Bands. This degrading and contemptible exhibition was greatly resented by the large audience who were present o* the stand and adjacent to the spot. It 'is only fair to state that the drummajor of the Wnnganui Garrisoii did offer an apology to one of the Contest Committee. My committee beli»ves that personally he had nothing whatever to do with the disgraceful proceedings. However, you will quite understand that an apology of this nature is quito inadequate, and my committee trust that the conduct of the bands in question will be thoroughly gone into, and punishment commensurate with the offence meted out to the offenders."