HASTINGS BAND CONTEST.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3125, 27 February 1909, Page 5

HASTINGS BAND CONTEST.

By Telegraph—Special to Wairarapa Age. HASTINGS, February 26. In connection with the first teat, "Which took place last nigbt, the special feature was the playing of Wanganui Garrison in the A grade and the general excellence of the B grade bands. The judge openly stated that after the poor exhibition in the solos he was not prepared for such fine playing. Wanganui's interpretation of the test was a revelation in brass band work so far as New Zealand is concerned, being almost without a flaw. It was glorious, and the crowd rose with one accord and the applause was some time in subsiding. The general opinion was expressed that even the celebrated Bessss o' th' Barn Band could not have excelled Wanganui in their rendition of such a selection.

Nervousness played havoc with Newton's chance, and made itself evident throughout.

Of the B grade bands several bands gave a musical rendering of the songs of Northern Scotland, and Mr Woolf was greatly pleased at the general excellence. It was a brignt spot in the contest, and greatly enjoyed by the'public. Petone were fancied for the leading position, but t ieir tune was defective, and the rendering was not as clean and crisp as Hastings, and had to be satisfied with second place in the first test. Giaborne were not up to expectations, and the playing at times was of a choppy character, b it there were occasional ■ streaks of brilliancy. The others were rather of a lower order, and the interpretations and playing of a somev.hat lower standard. Expectations are high as regard to-night's final test. By Telegraph—Press Association. HASTINGS, February 2 At the annual meeting of the North Island Brass Band Association today, the report 'and balance-sheet were adopted. The election of officsrs resulted in the re election of Mr M. Cohen as President, and Mr E. R. B. Holben as Secretary. The Baritone Solo resulted as follows . G. Jensen, Wanganui Garrison, 81 points 1 W. W. White, Hastings Town, 72 points 2 Three competitors. The final test* selection resulted as follows: — A GRADE. Wanganui, 200 points 1 Newton, 190 points 2 Palmerston North, 177 points 3 • B GRADE. Petone 1 Gisborne 2 Manaia 3