THE BAND.

Southland Times, Issue 1519, 5 January 1872, Page 3

THE BAND.

SlB, — I asked a question of the bandmaster on the day of the Bluff trip, which was this : " Why do yon not play once a week in town for the benefit of the townspeople ?" His answer was as follows : "My dear Bir, I cannot get my men together at 8 o'clock on Tuesday night for practice, owing to the disinclination of one tradesman to shut before another ;" in fact he told me he had not all his men there then, as some could not get leave from their employers. Now, sir, could not one day in the week be set aside for a general half holiday, when the Band could play and sports could be held for the benefit of the youth of this place, many of whom have little time for manly exercises, and are gradually losing taste for exercises their fathers delighted in ; for instance, cricket, a game all played ten years ago, is now played by a few, and croquet, a halfgirl game, is being largely indulged in by what should be the manhood of the nation. In Dnnedin, the principal shops shut at 12 and open at 7 o'clock on Saturday ; in Cbristchurch the same thing is done, only on Thursday. Surely the business here is not much more pressing than in those places P Could not the people here be aroused to their own interest ? lam sure young men and maidens, as well as all employers, would work better if allowed a half-holiday in the week, and it would enable many who now take a holiday on Sunday to employ that day in a better manner. Government officials, bank clerks, and I believe the clerks in the principal merchants' offices, get a half- holiday on Saturday, why should not we ? Trusting, Mr Editor, you will use your influence on our behalf, I am, &c, Employe.