THE BAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 499, 23 November 1881, Page 4

THE BAND.

To the Editor. Sib,— Kindly permit me to ask is Ashburton. the proud possessor of a brass band 1 If not, why not 1 Though I ask [-Z the question, I acknowledge that at rare intervals, like the supposed visits ;of angels, an attenuated kind of band, com- : posed, of a few brass instruments, may be : beard by some of the inhabitants discoursing so-called music ; but why is even this not heard'oftener, and why have pot all an opportunity afforded to listen Enraptured or otherwise ? and “ echo answers why ?” Could it possibly be that there . are people living in Ashburton who have “no music in their souls ?” lam half , inclined to admit the possibility, for 1 re- : member at the last annual meeting ,in connection with the public school one gentleman (1 forget his name) gravely announced that the Committee had done away with music and drawing in the curriculum of the public school to make room for more important studies. “ Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of ” Ashburton (only in the Guardian of ourse) that there lived a man with soul so dead, I mean with so little “ music in his soul,” as to be capable of acting thus, and then stating it publicly as if a meritorious course had been pursued hy the Committee! It is to be devoutly hoped that such persons compose onU a very small minority of the inhabitants, but revenons d nos moutons. 'lt seems! tq to me clear that the present band should be .re-organised and increased, and' a competent conductor secured, so that during the long summer evenihgs promenaders in East street might have the gratification of listening to good music. Also, an inexpensive pavilion should be erected with music stands, etc., for the performers, say in Courthouse reserve. Now that the “ petrified kid neys ” have been removed, and a smobth footpath instituted, the band on say two - evenings in the week would much enhance the pleasure of the promenade. Should it be simply a question of expense, I am sure all lovers of music would subscribe cheerfully to make the band a good and efficient one. I hope to see the matter taken up with spirit and at once.—l am, eta, A Lover of Music. _ [The letter of our correspondent is worthy of attention, but why select East street as a promenade when the Domain would afford a much pleasanter locald for the erection of the band-stand. Probably our correspondent is unaware that a competent conductor has been recently . elected.—Ed. #.]