To the Editor of the Evening Star.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 339, 9 February 1871, Page 2

To the Editor of the Evening Star.

SIE, —At the Rifle Volunteer meetiug, last evening, Captain Balger made a statement relative to the band, which, I believe, demands a prompt refutation ; and as it was the policy of the chairman last evening to prevent any discussion about the relation of the band to the battalion, thereby preventing the bandsmen from having an ample opportunity of completely refuting the allegations of Captainßatger, it behoves some one, on behalf of the band, to give the battalion a true statement of the state of affairs.

It has been for some time the policy of certa'n grandees of the battalion to lead the men to believe that the band is an intractable body ; that it has failed to perform its duty towards the battalion, and that it has not reciprocated the interest which the battalion has ever manifested on its behi-lf. Captain Batger, as the mouthpiece of that party, last ni^ht made a statement to that effect, only "that he did not use the word " intractable ;" and Captain Clark, an officer who deserves the respect and admiration of every member of the corps, and from whom I regretted to hear the remark, said that as the band had refused to pay the yearly subscription of 6s. per man, it was time for officers to button up their pockets. Now, sir, I will briefly state what the band, as a body, has done for itself, also what the board of officers have done for it, and it is for the battalion to fairly judge whether the pockets of the officers have ever been open to meet the current wants of the baud.

During the last ten months the baud has been compelled from non-assistance from the battalion to procure at its own costs the reparation of instruments when necessary, to provide music, music paper, a weekly stipend of 10s for the bandmaster, and the necessary furniture for the baudrooin. Until lately it provided all the caudles on practice nights, and owing to the want of sufficient musical instruments, an amount, over £30, was expended in procuring a few cornets. Our bandmaster now plays on a borrowed instrument, kindly lent him by Mr. Stevenson. Last month, owing to a resolution passed" by bho band not to pay any longer for light, paper, and the reparation of instruments, it extorted from the Band President (?) a few small books for "quicksteps " and a promise that the band shall no longer pay for the reparation of instruments. Notwithstanding this, the band has still been compelled to provide many of its wants, and when we consider the great liability which the battalion has incurred for advertising, there is little hope that the band shall be speedily relieved from expending more. I speak in conformity with facts, when I state that for the la&t six months the band has not cost the battalion one-twentieth part of the amount which it has itself expended to maintain its existence.

On the other hand, what has the battalion done for the band, that Captain Batger should accuse it of ingratitude ? Bandmaster McComish is supposed to get £25 annum. For this paltry pittance he is expected to instruct, find music, and arrange for 32 bandsmen ; and in addition to this be ready to attend parades whenever required by the battalion to do so. It, maj7 not be believed when I state—and I do so unwillingly—that on account of the above pittance the'sum of £26 is now due to Mr. McComish—more than one year's salary. And as a further proof of the supineness of the battalion towards the band, not the least energy was manifested to endeavour to realise even so small a sum of £5 for Mr. McComish in his late misfortune, when an amount five times as great, was rightly due to him by them. All that was done by the officers was that they consented to be advertised as patronizers of the Moonlight Concert. The baud alone acted generously on the occasion, and even before a moonlight conceit was agreed upon, it had by prompt energy contributed £10 to aid Mr. McComish in his embarrassment. These are facts which form merely the index of other circumstances which the'battalion have not considered, and which a few officers would willingly keep from their knowledge. The band is willing to act in unison with the battalion, but will surely kick against any further taxation or imposition being laid on it by the board of officers. A Bandman, Sans Culotte. February 8,1871.