CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 50, 28 February 1881, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor op the " Evening Mail.' Siii, — I think with '-Reader' 1 that this band question requires ventilating, and if you will permit me through your columns I v.il' endeavor to give "Reader" and others several facts of the case; I, like others, after bearing the many various rumors afloat thouaht that tiae Nelson Band had served the N. Z R A. very shabbily. The Band have a grievance, and it is this, the bad treatment received by them at the hands of the N. Z. R A., as they have proved by the last two years' experience. They weie called upon to play the first year, 1879, on the arrival of the representatives during the evening from the steamer, at the opening day at Briphtwater, at the distribution of prices in the Botanical Reserve, and at Church parade, and for their loos of time, &c, they were munificently rewarded with £5, only obtained after much trouble and a delay of six months. Ai the meeting last year (1880) they met the steamer, played the members to town, attended church parade, and at the cavalry tournament held at Richmond where tbej had to pay all their own expenses for luncheon, refreshments, &c j and for loss of time, &c, were not remunerated at all. Thug they played at two annual meetings and received as pay £5 for 12 or 14 menAt the end of December last, or thereabouts, the battalion diipenaed with the services of Mr Ob key a* band master, and the Band having also resigned 1 dd nbt think that the N. Z\ R. A. had any claim on th«ni whatever for gratuitous services and should have offeree) them some remuneration, but instead of this, the Lociil Committee added insult to injury by telegraphing for a band from another province, thus faithfully rewarding men who had given time and services formarly to the Association. I ask was thia the right way to proceed? The public are asked to subscribe between JE4O and .£SO to pay expenses for the Wellington Band coming here, and I think it best that Nelson people should know the facts. If the Band had been requested to attend in a formal manner with some slight recompense for their time, ice, the Reception or Local Committee would have saved much unnecessary expense and censure — I am, &c, AUTILLEETMAN.

To the Editor op the " Evening Mail."

Sir, — I saw a letter in last night'a issue that the public ought to kDow where the hitch about the Band originated. First, the Bandmaster's salary is stopped altogether ; second, the Band had to resign ; third, the Band had never been asked to play at the Church Parade. Now I will tell the public all about it. Cipt. Webb said he would show the Band up, and this is how he does it. He sent Capt. Bunnv to the Bandmaster to ask if the Band would turn out on Sunday for Church Parade. Mr Bandmaster said he would see the members of the Band and let him know. Capt. Bunny's reply was No, no, don't ask them, and array he bolts to the Telegraph Office to Bend to Wellington for a Band. Sir, I will ask the public if that is fair play, and that is where the hitch lies. — I am, &c, Bandsman. February 26, 1881.