THE WIGAN EXHIBITION. Saturday last, the closing day of the Exhibition, was the most successful the whole undertaking. A local brass band contest had been arranged for the occasion, for which six bands had entered, and of these five put in an appearance, and not less than from 5,000 to 6,000 persons crowded the Exhibition and grounds during the day. The bands entered for the competition were the band of the 21st (Wigan) L.R.V., Mr. Bithell, bandmaster; the Haigh band, Mr. Ellison, bandmaster; the Pemberton Victoria band, Mr. Banks, bandmaster; the Pemberton Amateur band, Mr. Smith, bandmaster ; the Leigh Volunteer band, Mr. Booth, bandmaster; and the Golborne band, Mr Hibbert, bandmaster. The Leigh band was unable to be present, and Mr. Booth, its bandmaster, conducted the Golborne band. The Wigan band bad the services of Mr. Kuper, instructer the band, conductor. Mr. Batley, of Manchester, bandmaster to the regiment of Lancashire Hussars, was the judge. The prizes conristed of a ten guinea E flat soprano, from the establishment of Mr. Higham, of Manchester, and of two guineas in money. Owing to the short time occupied in arranging the contest, the usual custom of all the bands playing one composition was deviated from, and each band played two pieces of its own selection. These were greatly diversified and afforded an excellent afternoon’s entertainment to the large crowd assembled in the great hall. At the conclusion of the programme, the united bands assembled in the Orchestra and played a verse of Ihe National Anthem, conducted by Mr. Kuper. The extraordinary effect produced by the 100 instrumentalists elicited very hearty cheering, and Mr. Kuper kindly complied with the persistant calls for a repetition of the performance. Afterwards the Wigan and Haigh bands played off for the prizes, and it was announced that the first prize was awarded to the Haigh band, and the second to Wigan. At Mr. Bailey’s request, it was intimated that the playing of the whole of the bands was exceedingly creditable. The announcement of the result was received with very hearty cheers, and shortly afterwards the great crowd dispersed in very orderly manner; large numbers accompanying the bands who played through the town before and after the competition.
Haigh
