At the meeting of the Sale City Council on Monday night, the Mayor (Cr. G. N. Valentine) referred to the grand performance of the Sale City Band at Ballarat. They had gained placings against bands from all over the Commonwealth. Supporting the motion that a letter of congratulation be sent, Cr. Jones said that the band was a great asset to the city and it was a pleasure to listen to it.

Illuminating Comments from Leongatha

The Sale City Band scored a well-deserved honor in the D. Grade contest at Leongatha last Sunday. From the comments made on each of the numbers which contested the performance, it is quite evident that the band recorded a rare honor and one which the citizens can will be proud.

In the inspection, the band secured 19 points of a possible 20 and the street march netted 34 points from a possible 50.

The hymn "Bradford" was played exceptionally well and quickstep very good. The band was a credit to the drum-major.

In the selection in the evening, "Barber of Seville," the players appeared to be imbued with a spirit to win. The band played last, and their number was well conducted and played. As the number finished, the bandmaster was delighted because he knew that the brilliance of the performance was sufficient to gain a win. The band was lucky in the draw, playing fourth in four sections and winning each and then finished second in the street march. The improvement among the players was due to their con centration and attendance at practice and the uniforms were, a credit to the ladies, They won three cups, a handsome wall clock and four cheques, in all to the value of £37/10/0. The trophies are on display in Miss Glover's window.

Bandmaster Frank James started training at the age of 12 years and became a leading cornetist in the Ballarat Soldiers Memorial Band. His ambition is to take Sale into A. Grade. He has been bandmaster for a little more than two years.

Drum-major Stuart Hilson was in his second contest. He has done a marvelous job and the work of the boys during the marching was a great credit to him.

Manager Jim Little took over his official duties for the first trip. He was most efficient and his devotion to the band gives the players a great deal of encouragement.

This is the first contest that Sale has won and the band will in future play in C. Grade.

Commenting on the performance, Major Lyons, the drill adjudicator complimented Drum-major Hilson and gave him a few hints for future contests.

The musical adjudicator (Mr. W. Philpot) complimented the bandmaster who replied that he must have liked them better than when they played at Heidelberg. He replied "I had to hang on to my chair there in case your band blew me off it. You have much more control over the band now and when it seemed they were going to have a go, they were quietened and that is how I like it, and how it should be". He added that Sale had a good band and could go a long way.

The points were:-

• Sale 342,
• Leongatha 334,
• Trafalgar 326, and
• Ringwood 308.

The Sale points were:- Street march 34, hymn 83, selection 84, and inspection 19. The other teams recorded points as follows: Leongatha:- 36,82,79,18; Trafalgar 33,80,80,16; Ringwood 31,78,83,17. In the Quickstep Sale scored 156 to 155 by Leongatha, 150 to Trafalgar and 130 to Ringwood.

Sale residents will have the opportunity to hear the band on Sunday, March 9 at the show grounds.

In the contest at Morwell yesterday, the Sale City Band did not reproduce its best per formance but staged a sufficiently good effort to make the result really close. Morwell scored by one point from Trafalgar with Sale five points away in third place. The points were: Morwell 311; Trafalgar 310, and Sale 305.

On Sunday night, the Sale City Band with various local artists, gave a concert at the West Sale holding centre. This was appreciated by the folk at that centre. The large theatre was packed out, many people having to stand. Among the artists were: Mrs. Oakley (vocalist), Mrs. Trimble (accompanist), Mrs. Lowe (vocalist and guitar), Mr. M. Fox (vocalist), musical ensemble by Mr. B. Joyce (sax), Mr. Dryden (piano), Mr. M. Murray (drums), Mr. L. Trimble (vocal) and Mr. Gourley (cornet solo). Mr. F. James conducted the band and Mr. J. Little organised the concert and acted as compere. Mr. Wade of the holding centre thanked the artists and invited them to partake, of a delightful supper. Community singing will be resumed on Sunday after the Easter break.