THE GUARDS’ BAND.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5821, 25 November 1879, Page 3

THE GUARDS’ BAND.

TO THE ‘EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —Wellington is a strange place ; the latest phase of eccentricity having developed itself by the stoppage of the performances of the band in the Botanical Gardens, because, it is said, that so much damage is done to the plants and shrubs by visitors who attend these pleasant re-unions. I wonder what would be said if one of the Hyde-park keepers were to complain to the Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Woods and Forests, stating this as a reason why the band should not play in Kensington Gardens. I fancy he would be told at once to go about his business, and a proper force of police ordered to attend, if necessary, to keep the ground. Not so in Wellington. We are a long-suffering, lawabiding people ; we tolerate any infringement on our rights with stoical calmness. The overseer at the Botanical Gardens may bo an excellent gardener, but if through his instrumentality the population of this city are to be debarred from partaking in the innocent pleasures offered us by the generosity of a few gentlemen who give both time and money to serve us, it is high time this over-zealous official was relegated to his cabbages. Sir, I trust this matter will not be allowed to stop here, and that a public meeting will be called at once to ask what legal authority the trustees of the Botanical Gardens have for acting as they have done, as I and many others have good reasons for thinking they have in this instance greatly exceeded their powers. However, to say the least of it, I think it one of the most arbitrary and ungracious acts I ever heard of. The band day has for years been an institution in other parts of the colony, but Wellington, the so-called Empire City, is the only place that has acquired the unenviable notoriety of disallowing it. Again I say I hope that a public meeting will be called, and an expression of opinion elicited which shall clearly and unmistakeably show th.-.t the Botanical Gardens belong to the people, and that they intend to use them for their enjoyment and recreation, leai ing it to the public guardians of the peace (whose duty it is) to protect their property.— I am, &c., VW PvTULI.