TO THE EDITOR.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 125, 22 January 1874, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —The success of the Promenade Concert makes oue ask “ why can we not have a concert a little oftener?” There s plenty of musical talent in the Bay to make it a very easy matter if all will work together, and, speaking from experience, I may say, assistance has generally been cheerfully given when asked. Why could not the Baud and Vocal portion of the inhabitants be united and a Philharmonic Society formed. If this could be effected several objects might be attained. 1. The lovers of music would have one night iu the week, for practice, and pleasure now denied the majority of them.

2. A pleasant social evening’s amusement would be provided for the inhabitants of the bay, aud the ready money spent in the district. Whereas now the chief amusements are supplied by conjurors and mountebanks who sweep the ready money out of the place. 3. Public institutions could be assisted. There is for instance the Gisborne School on which a debt of some £3O is still owing. Mr. King, whose patience in waiting so long for his money is worthy of all praise. But more than this the gentlemen who willingly sacrificed time and money for its prosperity are now’ called upon to pay this sum iu addition to their private donations. In common justice to these gentlemen, this ought never to be allowed, and a concert might be given to wipe off this debt. Then there is the Public Library and Reading Room, which for the number and variety of both books and papers is a credit to the Bay. And I make bold to say no settlemeut in the colony of the same size has a Library superior to it. There has been addition to it of about £3O worth of very excellent books, chosen in Auckland by Mr. Johnson, and this has left the Institution between £2O and £3O in debt; a debt which a concert W’ould very largely reduce. Then last, but not least, there is the Band of whose efficiency we have lately had full proof. The interest in this had partly died out, but the Saturday evening performance will fully revive it again, but there is a debt of about £l6 still hanging over it, and a concert would not only clear this off, but leave, I hope, a balance for a testimonial to the unwearying and indefatigable bandmaster. These and other institutions could thus be helped in a very pleasant and agreeable manner, infinitely superior to dunning people for subscriptions. —an unthankful office for two unfortunates, the person dunning and the person dunned. These concerts could be varied by penny readings &c. But the great object is to have a pleasant social evening together a little oftener than we do at present, and so supply a very great lack amongst us.

Now who will start this ? I feel sure it only needs starting to be warmly taken up and made very successful. Public meetings seem no good. Three were called for this object and neither succeeded. It has been my lot to be director of the concerts held here since my arrival, both of which succeeded so well. But I feel convinced that a layman would do better as conductor of this proposed Society, and I for one would render him every assistance in my power in every possible way. Trusting this matter will not be allowed to drop.—l am, &c.,

W. Hevingham Root. Gisborne, January 19, 1874.