CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1093, 6 May 1913, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor)

Sir.— l should like to know whether the gas meters are read by the indicator or simply by guess-work, as there is a marked discrepancy between one month s consumption and another in my household after making due allowance for shortened daylight. Thanking you in anticipation, 1 am etc.

Consumer. [Our correspondent should read his meter and check the invoice. If the indicator is read a few hundred feet in advance one month, the following month’s reading would disclose the error.— Ed. H.j

(To the Sir, —Being a citizen of this town, and a frequent patron of the municipal picture entertainments, I, on behalf of many other patrons who appreciate good music that is provided in connection with the pictures, would venture to suggest a slight alteration in placing the various items of music provided in their respective elements. I am not alluding to the instrumentalists, not even to their abilities. I refer to the slight mistake that is made sometimes when certain pictures are screened. It seems that the music sheets are supplied without regard to meaning of the pictures, and thereby a humorous or comic picture is accompanied by a mournful tune by the orchestra ; a funeral is made a happy procession by the aid of a waltz or gallop. When a dramatic film is placed on the screen a march is introduced, thereby causing considerable comment amongst musical critics and the public in general. A likely suggestion would be to allow the orchestra to choose music that goes in harmony with certain pictures screened, the orchestra to know before the overture the running order of the pictures, so that as each picture is put ou the instrumentalists would be prepared to face either sad, sentimental, dramatic or humorous items, and play tunes suitable to the various films without fear of being the subject of public comment. The musical talent is there, and it seems a pity such talent should be criticised wrongfully. It is the duty of every citizen (we cannot all be councillors) to try and help, by suggestions, the men we have recently elected to lead our borough affairs. I might, if you will allow me further space, say a word in reference to the noises that issue from behind the picture sheet. The noise-maker requires an alert sense of imitation to be able to produce effectual noises at the exact moment when required, such as the toot of the motor, the canter of a troop of horses either on sand or asphalt, the roaring of billows, and the various noises required to make scenes more realistic. I hope this little view will be appreciated. Thanking you for space, —I am, etc., Citizen.