The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1884.

Kumara Times, Issue 2532, 15 October 1884, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1884.

On Friday evening next the members of the Catholic Brass Band will hold a grand free ball at the Theatre Royal, the proceeds of which, it is notified, will be devoted towards procuring uniform for the Band. The many occasions on which this Brass Band have given their services gratuitously to aid in performances for popular and charitable causes in this town, devoting many days and nights to acquire the perfection they have already attained, should alone be a cause for patronmn" this the first public recognition of their

assiduous, philanthropic, and we may say successful, efforts to provide the gentle, the soothing, the rapturous influences of music so frequently in our ears. Said the eminent writer and politician Joseph Addison, " Music is the only sensual grati6cation which mankind may indulge in to exceas without injury to their moral or religious feelings." The Band has been in existence about two years, and although designated as the Catholic Brass Band, it is well known, there has been a remarkable abseuce in their career of anything pertaining to sectarianism when application has been made for their services to assist in any public or charitable cause. The band has reached that state of proficiency that for some time past the Rifle Volunteers have been pleased to engage them for their monthly parades, and now that the long days are coming on, and these inspections will come almost into daylight, how much better it would look to see the band in some sort of uniform, thus enhancing the appearances of our gallant Volunteers ; but more particularly would it be the case during public holidays and annual and other festivities, when the services of the Band are called into requisition. We learn that the members of the Band themselves have subscribed and expended something like £2OO in music, instruments, &c, independent of their own time or the remuneration of their efficieut leader, Mr W. T. Richards. The ball on Friday will be under the patronage of the Rifle Volunteers, the Fire Brigade, and his Worship the Mayor (D. Hannan, Esq.). The following leading citizens are also taking an active part in the arrangements, and will most of them be found on the night in question personally catering to the enjoyment of those who may come forward to assist in the object to be attained :—Messrs Gilbert Stewart, J. S. Pearn, W. Nicholson, J. O'Hagan, A. Foldi, G. Rudkin, H. Burger, L. Ziegler, J. Davies, and others. There is to be torchlight procession before the ball. We are sure the fair sex will respond to the effort which is now being made if only the gentlemen will do their part.