PROMENADE CONCERTS, SOCIAL GATHERINGS, &c.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 127, 27 January 1874, Page 2

PROMENADE CONCERTS, SOCIAL GATHERINGS, &c.

Sir, —Now who will start this ? is a query made by the Rev. Mr. Root, published oil January 10. In reply, is he the proper man ? He, who sows discord by an arrangement of invidious distinctions of a character at variance with his professions. If social gatherings are to be a success, let them be conducted in a truly impartial spirit. Let the rev. gentleman know that in small colonial communities like our own, distinctions, like comparisons, are odious, and lament that any such should ever have been made here.

The Rev. Mr. Root is late in the field about forming a Musical Society, such having been in existence for some time. Certainly a great impetus has lately been given by recent arrivals of talent, but this is no reason whv th:it«gentlcnmn should take the credit to him’, self, and parade to the public his egotistical remarks.

For general information I beg to say that the Gisborne Musical Society was started some years since, a concert was given, and the proceeds amounted to £l6, a large proportion of this sum was expended in obtaining proscenium, music, Ac., —all necessary appliances. This was carried out by the exertions of some four working members, and upon this success it was thought an organized Musical Society could be established. Members were solicited, and a number joined, subscribing to certain rules, specially drawn, binding each and all alike to give four concerts during the year. After considerable practice a second per* formanee was given, but, unfortunately, not so successful as the first. This so disheartened the majority of the members that it lesulted in matters musical remaining in abeyance from that time to this. Mr. Root finding out how matters stood made u most reverend and generous proposition to myself, urging the necessity of the formation of a Philharmonic Society. ’The colloquy ran thus: —Q. “Have you any money?” A. “Not a cent.” Q. “ Have you any property ?” A. “ Yes; viz., instruments, proscenium, music, Ac. This information having been afforded, he said, “ Now if you will hand over every thing to a new management (non subscribers) we will allow you to join us ; we do not wish start a new Society.” The meetings referred to were but poorly attended 1 admit, the principal cause being that the business to be considered was the Rev. Mr. Root’s offer. One gentleman refused, on behalf of his wife who was a member, on the ground that the original proposition respecting concerts hud not been carried out.

Alluding once more to this concert of Mr. Root’s, can it be explained why the “indefatigable bandmaster,” the worthy door-keeper, and some of the principal vocalists were excluded from the following evening’s “social” gathering? The “ end|may justify the means,” but at present it is an enigma, which perhaps can be solved by the reverend gentleman. On the night of the concert impromptu dancing (at which the reverend gentleman did not attend) was “wicked and blackguardly” at “eighteen pence,” but on the following evening (when the reverend gentleman did attend) dancing, with a subscription of ss, was “ without the sin.”

Again, will Mr. R. kindly inform me who solicited him to pay the band debts ? So far as the collections made by myself are concerned, it was a labor of love ; and the movement met with general support. The services of bandmaster I must remark are con amove; 1 have had his distinct refusal to accept any emolument whilst the band can scarcely be said to be formed ; and I do think it quite time to answer the call of our “ indefatigable bandmaster,” when he considers himself entitled to, and can receive, such reward with a good grace.—Yours, &c.,

Bedford Sherriff.