ANNIVERSARY DAY.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 88, 30 January 1897, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY DAY.

TUE BAND CONTEST AT TE AROHA. Such a clay us we are having—rain, rain, rain, and still rain—yesterday evening it looked gloomy, bnt not very threatening thought the committee of the management for the Band Contest, etc. I, however, put my buckets out for water purposes, and got them filled. The heavens commenced to leak about midnight, and the holes arc still getting bigger with apparently no weather plumber on band. It is a dreadful disappointment to all concerned here, as apart altogether from the trouble, the financial arrangements are all turned upside down through the rain. The offices of Secretary anil of Treasurer are not much sought nfter just at present). Last night the Wailn Band arrived by train from Pueroa and played up the main thoroughfares, and in the evening discoursed sweet strains to an admiring and apparently appreciative audience, who applauded very heartily, and I can say truly that the applause was well deserved. The Coromandel Band is expected by train at 1 p.m., hut whether the contest will come off or not I cannot say yet. It certainly cannot take place in the open air, but of this more anon. I must now face the elements and see what is goini» on. I have found it all out. The committee wanted the bands to perform in the Public Hall, butWaihi refused, consequently thty started work in the Domain, and just as they started down came a Te Aroha puff and wiped out the band stands. They were reerected and with the aid of a borrowed hammer and some nails from McNicoll's store made safe for the afternoin. Te Aroha then commenced ; Bandmaster C. Lawn and twelve assistants, and considering the fact that they had been only twelve days in practice they simply surprised everybody. The bass (Mr Firth) was specially noticeable, and any band that owns him has a good man on bind. They played " Austral," and gained a good round ot applause. Coromandel followed with thirteen performers, and played " Gems of Albion." Bandmaster \V. French did not play himself, but simply conducted. YV'aihi then came on uuder Bandmaster J. MeMinu and 19 performers (no drums owing to wet),and gave " Gems of Columbia," a very pretty and interesting repertoire of Yankee and general American airs. During tnis pare of the competition the rain and gale had increased to such an extent that it was practically impossible to do any more out of doors. All the performers were drenched, ditto the G.P. An adjournment was then made to the Public Hall, where the second pieces were gone through. Coromandel played " Maritana" and received a perfect salvo of applause. At this stage it was announced that Coromandel had to depart by train, and consequently would not remain for the finish. Te Aroha next played a set of Scotch airs very nicely indeed, and then Waihi gave " Torquito Tasso " and received an ovation. The awards were not known when the telegraph office closed.—(Own Correspondent). THE A3IATEUR SPORTS. It 13 most unfortuuatc that the 29th day of January was ushered in with a heavy downpour of rain. However, iu the early part of the morning a break in the weather seemed close at hand, and so promising did it look that with one or two exceptions all the Auckland athletes left for Waikato in order to fulfil their engagements. Upon their arrival at Hamilton it was at once decided to postpone the races until Wednesday next. Naturally, the Ancklandera were sorely disappointed, but they nevertheless recognised that it would be madness to expect men to perforin on such a day. A petition was presented by a number of those interested asking that the sports should be held today, but ns the country men had departed with the intention of returning on Wednesday, and there appeared to be no possible chance of fine weather, the committee did not entertain the idea, but adhered to their former decis:on. Htavy roin fell all day, and it was impossible for the Waikatoites to do much in the way of entertaining their visitors, who put in rather a miserable afternoonThe majority of the Auckland boys returned to town by the excursion train last evening, and a number of the leading ones have expressed their intention of coming back on Wednesday, and we sincerely hope they may be able to do so, and that they will be well repaid for their trouble. The dance organised for last evening under the management of the Hamilton Football Club was also postponed until Wednesday next, the day on which the sports will be held. THE IDEAL COMEDY COMI>ANY. Owing to the fearful weather experienced last evening the Ideal Comedy Company were compelled to forego the performance they were billed to produce. The company will give the programme previously announced this evening, and u second one on Wednesday next after the sports meeting, when they will produce'the amusing cornedv entitled " The Barrister," interspersed with the newest songs, and the entertainment will conclude with a laughable farce. The company, during a recent tour in the South, met with great success, and as the prices for admission are only 2s and Is, they should be favoured with good houses in Hamilton. THE HOLIDAY IN AUCKLAND. (BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT). Auckland, Last Niyht. The eDiuinuous downpour of rain spoiled the holiday to-day. Many of the advertised excursions did not leave; and the Takapuua races were postponed till to-morrow. About 250 excursionists proceeded by train to Te Aroha. The Ilcgatta events were contested under drenching rain, but they attracted only a few spectators. The senior whahboat race was won by WaitemataCity crew No. 1, North .Shore second.