A BAND FOR TAURANGA.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 145, 24 January 1874, Page 3

A BAND FOR TAURANGA.

BY A .MUSIC LOVER. When one of our lovely summer days is drawing to a close and a peaceful stillness reigns on land and water alike is the time when our fellow townspeople enjoy themselves thoroughly. Tile evening meal partaken of, we stroll meditatively down our beach front and on to the wharf, or recline on the cool earth, or seated on tho verandah, inhale the last breath of tho sea breeze which has gratefully i-efreshed us all day and is now dying away into evening’s calm. How pleasant to recall the time when the bauds of the regiments—stationed here in tho days of Thuranga’s military rule lent their sweet melody to charm the oar, as “ Raney waft me in golden vision when the monarch of the west sank amid the illuminations with which his fading rays decked a thousand fairy palaces of cloud. Nature with all her charms still favours us, and the sun gleams gloriously us ever through the parting clouds, and evening's calm yet oft reigns serene ; but the voice ol melody has d parted seemingly for ever, while yet. there remain among us many of those whose dexterous manipulation, fine skill, and good taste assisted once “ To entrance the listening ear.” We know of sufficient musicians to form a very good b ind—uteu who have enjoyed a good musical education, some privately, some in jlhe regiment, and whose hands cannot have lost their cunning or from whose ears can good tunes have bid “ A sad farewell.” Those would require but a few practices during the week, of a few hours duration each time, and that course continued for a few months, to enable those gentlemen we have alluded to to “ Discourse sweet music.”

Many subscriptions would bo willingly tendered agam for t he purpose of raising a fund to purchase musical instruments, and an entertainment for the same purpose doubtless would be liberally supported. A band composed of sis players would be sufficiently strong for all purposes, and would require but practice to enliven many a dragging hour, whether by playing selections for our delectation on a balmy summer’s ewe, or by filling an interlude at our entertainments, or (and this would afford tho greatest enjoyment) when melodiously accompanying the giddy whirl of tripping feet. The instruments required—say two cornopians, two clarionets, a basson, uml 'a trombone—could bo purchased for about forty guineas, and music would be but a alight consideration. Two cornopian players, a clarionet performer, and a performer on (ho trombone reside with us, and a fairer beginning a band of six could not expect. We strongly recommend theso hints for the consideration of all those who have felt with us the want of a band, and for (hose who have the ability to perform on brass or reed instruments that they may take action upon the recommendation. The practice of Ids art gives the musician groat pleisure, tyid that would bo increased by tho knowledge, when playing among-!, us, that he would be lightening many a heavy hour, and affording an enjoyment winch the devotees of Terpsichore rarely have opportunity of realising now. Tor yourselves and lor us we would constrain you to tho work, confident that it would not long be a task, and confident, al so that iu the improved moral tone which it would be the means of producing in most of toe youths of our community there will he reward enough tor quadruple the amount of study which, to ensure ordinary performing, won be required —: Communicated. 1

XAU R ANG A KFSIDKNT M. AGIS lit A IK’S COURT, W KPXKSIUV, January 21. (Benue h'. M. Kdgcumbc, Esq. J.l’.und S L. Clarke, Esq, J . I’.) Civil -Side, m.vks u.vll v. avakuiuck. Claim ..Ci 10s -Li. Air Saunders appeared ns agent for plaint hi". Deiendant pleaded not indebted, and applied lor an adjournment until next Court day in order to procure t he at tendance of a necessary witness. .Mr Man ad rrs ■ .•or,soi;i iA oil behalf of plaintiff, and the ca-e w,»s adjourned accordingly. UOUEI'A 11 I iwf i'At A V. JON ks. IT us was a claim foe I-i damages, alleged to have tven Mist annul by plana iff through the act of defendant. t lumtiff deposed. On Friday la.it I saw deU'mlant in u boat in the harbour ; he hud a Jot ot karaka branches in his boat ; 1 went, to defendant's house and asked him where ho gut the karaka branches he replied only by throw ing a lot of tite branches it!to the sea and souk* into his yard; Jones then told me to take the branches away, but 1 said they wore of no use to tuo ; I threatened to summon-him for destroying trees; these trees I value very much : if it had been in the olden times 1 should have forcibly seized nud taken away defendant’s boat ; the reason why we value these trees is that they’ aro sacred, und our ancestors refused to use them for food ; 1 have examined the trees, and found some of the larger branches have been cut down. By the defendant: The land on which the kamktv trees grow belongs to our t ribe. Another witness deposed tv) seeing defendant carry away a number of brandies from trees on “ the Mount ” belonging to plaintiff; he demanded payment of 7s for damage done ; defendant declined to pay anything, and he (witness) then told him he would summon him for iio. Defendant stated that on .Friday last; he was at; the Mount fishing ; lie cut down a few branches (produced) ; ho wanted some karaka leaves (o make a lotion of; hud no idea that he was doing wrong by cutting the trees, und was not aware that the place was sacred to She natives, but alwavs understood (hat the Mount belonged to the a.) vernuu-nt ; plaintiff demanded 7s as payment for the karaka, but he defendant refused to give him any money. Judgment was given as follows; “ The Court, while sympathising with (ho native owners in the dost ruction of trees at Maunganui, aro of opinion that sufficient precautionary measures have not beontakon by nati ve.-> against trespass, &e- There being eo few trees in the district, it is absolutely necessary to protect the few there are. Tho Court therefore suggests to the Maori owners that a notice board bo erected at tho landing place at Ala unganui, and a notice published in the Bay of Plenty Times warning the public against destroying the karaka or other trees at Maunganui. The Court also wishes to warn tho public that on a similar case being again brought before it, tho parties destroying trees will be severely fined.