CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1496, 13 January 1916, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor). Sir.—l noticed a letter in your last issue calling attention to the bungling that is taking place in regard to “send offs” to local recruits and “welcomes” to returning soldiers. As the Borough Band is mentioned, I would ask your permission to state briefly the position as far as the Band is concerned. Foxton ' boasts a Patriotic Society, one of the duties of which should be the arranging of “send offs” and “welcomes,” but apparently those that conduct the Society do not think so. When the local members ,of the Ninth Reinforcements left, the Band members thought it would be a good idea to give the Patriotic Society a lead, and a “send off” was organised, the Mayor and the Rev Raine being invited to address the men. Naturally it .was thought that when future drafts were going forward the Patriotic Society would follow the lead given them, as the secretary and others were informed that the Band would be only too pleased to assist if given sufficient notice. The Band will be only too pleased to co-operate in any function tendered to departing recruits or returning soldiers, but the duty of arranging these functions should be undertaken by the Patriotic Society. What is wanted in that society appears to be a real live executive.—l am, etc., A. Smith, Hon. Sec. Borough Band.