BAND CONTEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1922, Page 6

BAND CONTEST.

NEW PLYMOUTH COMMITTEEThe general meeting appointed in connection with the band contest to be held in New Plymouth next February met on Wednesday night, when there was a good attendance. In the absence of the chairman (Mr. H. S. Brookman), who was detained in Wellington, Mr. A. L. Humphries was voted to the chair. The secretary reported that the finance, programme and accommodation committees had met and considered matters relating to their particular business. The accommodation committee had made a recommendation to the effect that if the contest was held in the week following the February race meeting, the tests should begin on Wednesday, thus allowing time for the race meeting visitors to get away, and also giving the bandsmen a clear day’s rest after arrival. Consideration of this matter was deferred until a later meeting. The following were added to the general committee: Messrs. H- Moon, S. Brooks, V. H. Beal, G. W. Browne and R. Bennoch.

It was decided that every member of the general committee should be appointed to one or more sub-committees, and that the chairmen of the sub-committees should meet and allocate new members to the sub-committees. It was also decided that the chairman or deputy-ch airman of each sub-committee should report to their committees periodically as to what was being done, so that all members could be kept in touch with the general progress of arrangements without the necessity of holding frequent meetings of the general committee.

The secretary also reported having received replies from several bands, to the circular sent out, making inquiries as to the programme and also as to the accommodation available.

It was resolved that no financial liability should be undertaken without reference to and approval of the finance committee. The question of the programme was then dealt with, Mr. H. R. Cattley, who had attended a meeting of the executive of the North Island Brass Bands Association at Wanganui on Tuesday, intimating that the association insisted upon the quickstep contest being separated into A and B grades. In all other respects the programme was approved. The association expressed an opinion that in readjusting this matter the prize money should not be increased-

This matter was referred to the programme committee for revision. Mr. Cattley also stated that there had been a very strong feeling that in all the classes a test piece should be chosen, but he had been able to secure the wish of the local committee to have “own choice” items. It had been resolved, however, that any player, or combination of players, winning in the solo, duet, trio or quartettes, and playing an “own choice” item at any contest dating from and including the contest held in Wellington in February, 1922, should not be permitted to play the same piece at any other contest held under the auspices of the North Island Brass Bands’ Association for a period of three years from the date of the contest at which such player or players won with that piece or selection. Mr. Cattley was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for the manner in which he had watched the contest committee’s interest at the association meeting.