ON THE WRONG “BLEAT”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 45, 23 February 1939, Page 6

ON THE WRONG “BLEAT”

PLACINGS AT BAND CONTEST FALSE HOPES IN WANGANUI Wanganui seemed to be in mourning yesterday. Four A grade bands had competed in the first stage of the test selections, and a Press message from Christchurch placed the Wanganui Garrison last, 31 points behind the winner.

“Serves the band right for playing such a silly tune as ’Ba, Ba, Black Sheep,” dclared one of the band’s old stalwarts. “Now, when we were at the contest in . . . .’’

“A different judge means a different interpretation," declared another, looking blue. “And, if you remember, it happened something the same in 1922. Some judges do not like the public making a popular choice, and 1 think they mark a band down if it gets the bulk of the applause." A wag on the wharf, when he heard the news, sharpened his pocket knife. “Going to cut a gorse wreath to put on the train at Marton when the hand comes home.” he said. “Ba, Ba Black Sheep, huh!” By evening the gloom had lifted, because still another Press message had come from Christchurch. “Ba, Ba Black Sheep,” it said, ‘had won the own choice selection for the Wanganui Garrison Band.” Suddenly the city took an interest in this tune of “Ba. Ba, Black Sheep.’ People seemed to have heard it before. But an element of doubt still lingered, and until two o’clock this morning telephones were ringing in the “Chronicle” office wanting to know what had really happened. “Has the Garrison Band won, or is it all just so much bleating?" a rather thick voice asked at 1 a.m.

Enquirers were informed that the band, in truth, played “Ba, Ba Black Sheep.” a bright and appealing air, fully in keeping with the traditions and dignity of a wool district capital like Wanganui, but it was still fourth, and gloom once more settled over the city.

“You can take it from me that when the Highland Pipe Band goes forth to a contest it will not play anything like ‘Ba, Ba, Black Sheep,’' one of the Wanganui pipers declared. “Your tune’ll be much worse than that," a Garrison supporter declared hotly. “I can imagine it: “Never nae more will Scanties be worn, Never Nae More, my Kilties!"