Band Contest Venue Still to be Bedded

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7281, 7 October 1933, Page 3

Band Contest Venue Still to be Bedded

OFFERS RECEIVED BY N.Z. BRASS BANDS ASSOCIATION

Tho meeting of the Band Contest Society, an organisation of many years’ standing which has conducted many contest, in the past, has decided to offer its services to the N.Z. Brass Bands Association for the conduct of tho 1934 championship contest, states a Wellington exchange. It has been stated previously that tho parent body, by authority of the last annual conference of bands, intends to hold all future contests under new conditions. That, in effect, means that the annual event must bo directed by it, and the profits distributed as it thinks fit in the interests of bands. A Palmerston North committee had contemplated staging the next contest, but it was not prepared to subordinate itself as required under the new policy. A week or so ago the Mayor of "W anganui presided over a meeting of citizens there, and it was decided to offer tc conduct the contest under the new conditions. Napier is also evincing an interest in the event. There are therefore two applications, probably three, to come before the N.Z. Brass Bands Association.

In an interview, the president of the association (Mr H. W. Bennett), said that under the circumstances ho was glad that Wanganui and Wellington had conic forward. A band contest means a good deal to a community, particularly the business people. A carnival extending over a full week would materially assist in many rat, and he was glad that the 1934 contest would be sponsored by one or other of the cities mentioned. “There is, however, one very important issue that lias to be considered,” said Mr Bennett. “During the past few days information Ims drifted to us to the effect that there are very few bands in the country that can possibly afford the cost, of transport, especially to a distant destination. As the parent body carries the responsibility for any loss which may result, it is obliged to very seriously consider possibilities. For instance, in the case of Wellington, hardly any of tho bands would be in a position to travel, but they would take part in a contest at home. Of the South Island bands, there arc only two of the A grade which could afford the expense of coming north, but even those two may hesitate to travel further than Wellington.

“On the -other hand, Wanganui is one of the best baud contest centres in New Zealand. In addition, it has a very competent and enthusiastic local contest committee. These iactois have to be considered before the association can decide the venue, but. the decision must be made within the next few days, and it- is imperative that the test selections shall be decided upon and made known at the earliest- possible date.”

The secretary of the. Palmerston North Contest Committee (Mr P. Larcomb) stated that the president a original offer to Palmerston North was that this city should conduct the contest ou the basis of all profits going to competing bands. The local committee would be liable for any loss, although Mr Bennett said that this need not bo contemplated as the committee could budget to come out without loss. Now the city holding the contest whs to pay over all profits to the New Zealand Brass Bands Association and the parent bodv would make good any loss. Quite a different proposition, ho told a “Times” reporter yesterday.