LITERARY AND MUSICAL COMPETITIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8489, 18 July 1907, Page 5

LITERARY AND MUSICAL COMPETITIONS.

THE MASTERTON BAND'S PROPOSALS. A meeting of citizens interested in the Literary and Musical Competitions proposed to be held by the Mas\terton Municipal Brass Band early in iNovember, was held in the Borough Council Chambers last evening. The Mayor (Mr J M. Coradine) presided, and there was a large attendance. Apologies for absence were received ;from several citizens. 'The Mayor stated that if those present took the matter in hand a bril- ; jKant success could be made of the competitions. He asked Mr McLeod to explain how far the Band had gone in the matter. Mr F. W. G. McLeod said that the Band's object in holding the competitions was to raise funds. Similar competitions had met with unqualified success in other parts of the colony, notably in Invercargill. The Band had thought that if they confined the management of the competitions to their own committee many valuable suggestions would be lost, and for tbst reason tho services of willing citizens were enlisted. His idea was to make the Band an educational institution in its own sphere, and the holding of these competitions would appeal to all who had the education of the young people at heart, because the programme would include competitions in essays, recitations, choir-singing, etc. The Band had practically agreed to adopt the programme of the coming Invercargill competitions with perhaps a few additions. The expense would not bs very great. At Invercargill only £37 was given in prizes. The competitions would extend over three or four nights, and would be held probably early in November. In addition to the compete tibns mentioned, it might be arranged to hold a Marching Competition for Bands that have never won a Marching Competition in any contest. Mr S. E. Wright had agreed to act in conjunction with the Band's secretary to carry out the competitions. The members of the Band had formed a small guarantee fund amounting to about £3O to guard against any loss over the competitions, but it was not likely that there would be any loss. It was decided, on the motion of Mr J. C. Evvington, seconded by Mr E. McEwen, that those present form themselves into a general committee, with power to add to their number, to make arrangements for the competitions. Mr W. A. Fendall agreed with the idea of holding the competitions, which he knew, from experience in other centres, had raised the literary and musical status of the community. He would advise the committee to take care that a competent judge was secured for the competitions. They should see that the judge was a man whose ability was recognised in musical circles. Mr McLeod replied that the Band were already in communication with several well-known musical judges in New Zealand with a view to securing their services. Mr E. Maher was appointed secretary for the competitions. The following were appointed an Executive Committee:—Revs. Dean McKenna, A. M. Johnson, A. T. Thompson, J. N. Buttle, and Messrs E. McEwen, J. C. Ewington, A. D. Low, T. Wag, R. J. Young, E. Maher, J. Elder, G. Hutchinson, F. J. Hunn. F. W. G. McLeod, W. A. Fendall, J. M. Coradine, B. J. Dolan, G. Groombridge, W. H. Jackson, and Dr. Cook. It wa3 decided to hold a meeting of the Executive Committee on Wednesday evening next. The meeting then adjourned.