THE RECENT BAND MEETING

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 547, 17 October 1902, Page 3

THE RECENT BAND MEETING

(To the Editor of the Times.)

Sir, —Your correspondent “ Workman ” in reply to mine on tho abovo subject, says, I might have stood back until either of tho gontlemon ho referred to had replied. Well, as no one has as yet replied, I will again, with kind permission, take up tho cudgels on behalf of the bandsmon. He says be thinks it only fair to put me right, but whero ho has put mo right I fail to seo. He has not evon disputed anything I said. Ho says I nover thought for one momont, nor do I now, that Mr Ormond would sack one of his tradesmen to put on a bandsman. Now. Mr Editor, if ho did not think that, or infer it, what had tho gentlemen ho referred to, have to roply to ? I quito agreo with " Workman ” that it is not right to import men and find them a billet because they can play a solo, but I would liko him to point out any placo in my letter whero I advovocatod such a thing. What I said was when a billet was open, and thero were two applicants, and ono of thoso applicants happened to bo a bandsman, the bandsman should get the preference (all things being equal). lam afraid " Workman has entirely misconstrued my meaning. There is ono thing Mr Editor I would bog to suggest while on this subject, and that is considering tho public is being asked to supply tho needful, I think they should be allowed to pick tho best conductor to send with tho men, and if tho best men wore picked from tho two bands wo would then have a band that would 'do credit to tho district. It need not interfere with their ordinary practices, as they could have special nights for practices until a week or so beforo going, when thoy should practico together only. Of course, I am well awaro that whero thero are two bands there is a vory great amount of rivalry, but I think that should bo sunk in a matter of this kind, and they should work in harmony.—l am, etc., Another Workman.