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Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1058, 19 October 1911, Page 3

An Imported Article

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —As numerous correspondents are airing their notions through the medium of your columns in reference to our new, grand, and up-to-date Hall, and the opening thereof, I thought that, with your leave, I might have a word or two also. I would like to know what “ Citizen ” and “ Wharf Rat,” writing in a recent issue, have to complain about ? Is it a species ot jealousy that is inspiring them to rush into print ? I am sorry for ‘‘Citizen” and ‘‘ Wharf Rat,” and ail others who feel like them, but the sooner they come to learn that there are distinctions in the social order the better it will be for themselves and every other body. Why should the elite of Boxton not be able to participate in the opening ceremonies ot the new Hall ? “ Citizen ” and “Wharf Rat” know very well that it the charge for the ball was made to meet their pockets, a number could not attend, and we have surely as much right to have our place in the affair as they have. If I had my way, the Hall would have been opened with the ball at a guinea. Can “ Citizen ” • and “ Wharf Rat ” not imagine how ludicrous it would be to set down to supper with persons who have a fine, delicate sense of the etiquette of the table, and who do not attempt to fill their mouths with green peas finely balanced on the point ot their knife, etc. A great concession has been made to them : they can, by paying a shilling, gaze upon the brilliant scene from a sate distance. I have no doubt that if they remained till supper is over they might even be able to get a hearty meal from the caterer. At least, I should be willing to propose that that should be dune. Trusting you can find space to afford a lew words from the other point ot view, —I am, etc.,

Aristoc —RAT

(To the Editor.)

Sir, Will you kindly allow me a small space to air my views in regard to a few items appearing in a letter in your last issue above the name of “J. Golder,” I think, under the circumstances, that the Band could have been treated more liberally by the Council in respect to last night’s entertainment. Travelling companies engaging a band for a short programme pay 30s and free entry. So that the Band were quite justified iu reiusiug to play, not that I think their music would have added to the attendance, but it would certainly have made the opening more enlivening. The Baud iu other respects are treated well by the Council—they receive a practice-room free of rent and a yearly grant, and for what ? How many al fresco concerts do they provide a year ? If the Baud want better treatment let them submit to the Council the number of concerts they are prepared to give a year. In reference to Mr Golder’s criticism of the local talent for the concert. I agree with him that the Council should have stood by their original programme instead ol adding insult to injury by trying to placate a certain hysterical person, and thus passing over talent in several cases far superior to that selected for last night's concert. Nearly every one would have been satisfied with the original programme. So far as the Bail is concerned, I don’t think there was any necessity for getting music outside Foxton — this is sheer extravagance. I have danced in larger towns to much inferior music to that supplied by local musicians, and I think whoever is responsible for this did not show a very kindly feeling lor our local musicians. So far as the price is concerned, I think it is reasonable for a ball, and I don’t think the Council would have acted wisely iu providing a “ half-crown hop.” — Yours iu anticipation and wishing the Ball all success. —I am, etc., Ratepayer.