THE GISBORNE BAND CONTEST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3373, 13 November 1911, Page 3

THE GISBORNE BAND CONTEST.

<r ARE WE TO CO ON?”

THE o'XEOUII v'S SAYS “YES.”

'.Hie executive of the band contest committee met on (Saturday evening in the Mayor's office, Borough. Council Chambers. 'The following were present: The. Mayor (Mr Wm. Pettie, in the chair), Messrs J. Town ley, J. R. Kirk, T. E. Tbneydiife, brown, Wilkinson, Bloore, Lawrence, "Webster and James Chrisp, secretary. The secretary read a circular which had been sent out to bands contemplating competing, dealing with the matter of accommodation, and assuring that the citizens of Gisborne had the matter at heart, and would leave no stone unturned to give visiting bands a good time.

The chairman said that now the arrangements were almost complete the next thing they had to decide was when the entries were to- close. November 12th. had l>een mentioned 1 , hut it was impracticable that the entries should close on that day. In reply to a. question by the chairman! the secretary said that nine hands had entered, live being in the A grade and l four in the 13 grade-. He believed all the bands entered would come as a great number of soloists had been entered.

Mr Webster contended' that a number of the .soloists who would come wioiuld not bo .attached to visiting bandsTlie secretary pointed out that tins would he- against the rules, and, that being so, it was not likely that a band would enter soloists without itself making the trip. , . , Regarding the date for closing of entries the secretary read m sheaf of telegrams from bands with: whom he had beon in communication, mostly announcing that they would be unable to enter. , . Mr Lawrence said there' was nothing to prevent- them from extending ■ date of entry. ~ ‘ Mr Brown was satisfied that the tin ee hundred men, which number would * contained in eight or nine hands, uould amply satisfy the public . Mr J. R. Kirk pointed out- that ti object of the contest was to keep up the standard of music Moreover, he thought it would not be wise to rush the public into something that was not coin o- to attain the highest .standaid. He would suggest that an examination of the entries for the Christchurch contest be made lief ore proceeding so that they might ascertain what bands <\\ould be free to come here. The chairman: If there were only three A grade and three B grade bands I would be satisfied. Mr Brown was of opinion that tJie wisest course to adopt would be to accept the present entries and forward the music to the bands already enterCK.I. The secretary pointed out that by forwarding the' music the committee would be committing itself to go on with the contest. . . Mr Pettie expressed tlie opinion that this was not a matter of concern, for he felt that they should go on if only to show that they could hold the contest in spite of the' bands that had not been loyal to their Association. He was not the least put out by the fact that certain bands were not coming to Gisborne, but he certainly thou girt that they should have had- the support of their neighbors, Napier and Hastings. He was sure that if either of these towns had been holding a contest- the Gisborne band would have gone there. In reply to a- question as to the amount to which they had committed themselves in prize money, the secretary said that to date they had pledged themselves to find £4.50. Mr Kirk said that did not include medals, and' for all practical purposes they might put it down at .£-">00. As an afterthought he considered that with the judges’ expenses, etc., they might reckon on £6OO being necessary. Mr Brown then moved that the entries of bands which had entered be accepted. and the music be posted. _ He also moved tliat tlie date of receiving entries be extended to Saturday, Novvember 25th. Mr Webster seconded and the motion was carried. Tlie chairman remarked that they were assured of the presence of nine bands, and lie thought it- would be a good contest. Tlie entries received uo to Saturday were as follow;:

A grade.—Wellington Garrison, Westport Garrison, Newton (Auckland), Palmerston North, and Waihi Federal. . B. grade.—Masterton, Wanganui ?ity, Whangarei, and Gisborne City.