BANDS AND SUNDAY CONCERTS.

Southland Times, Issue 18859, 26 June 1920, Page 2

BANDS AND SUNDAY CONCERTS.

To the Editor. Sir. —Will you be kind enough to grant me a little space in reply to "Disgusted Bandsman” in your issue of Monday last. If this young gentleman (save the name) had dipped his pen in vitriol he could not have been more vindictive and unmanly in his attack upon the Ministers’ Association. Let me tell this [fcrson that the wowseristic Ministers’ Association comprises some of the most cui'ored, refined and intellectual gentlemen of the town, irresnective of nationality, be they English, Irish or Scotch. I would hko "Disgusted Bandsman” to understand this, and am pleased to read in your issue of to-day where he disassociates himself from the jargon written by your correspondent "Tweedledum.” If "Disgusted Bandsman" has a grievance (he fancies he has), why does he not get his band secretary to go into the matter, form a deputation, wait on these so-called wowsers and Irish and Scotch councillors? This course muy r be productive of some good, whereas., on the other hand, this vilification of esteemed gentlemen is futile and boorish. As regards the bands’ not getting a fair deal from the Town Council, this is a matter of opinion. The whole trouble appears to be that there are too many bands here for the size of the town. Instead of the Council paying a small subsidy to each band, it would seem more reasonable to recngni.se one of these organisations and pay a reasonable subsidy to it. Some of the hands have been supported very well recently by the Invercargill public, such as fluring the different carnivals and entertainments. If ever a concert is given the plate is always in evidence and the collections are always substantial. As regards “Disgusted Bandsman’s” idea of paying his conductor £240 per annum, well I think this is rather a large salary for any of our local bands to pay. The Wanganui band may pay its conductor this sum but then it is the only band of the district worth mention, therefore subscriptions are concentrated, instead of being divided amongst many. This enables the Wanganui hand to secure an authority, an expert from England, where the standard of brass band playing is the highest in the world, and as the above organisation competes at the largest contests held in the Southern Hemisphere, such as Ballarat, it requires an expert and as such he must, of course, command a fair salary. “Disgusted Bandsman” must realise that Sunday belongs to the worshippers of the town, most of whom are Christians, only some are more tolerant than others. I do not know what his grounds are for bringing a charge of wowserism against several of our esteemed citizens. Why does he not make a specific statement instead of indulging in vague generalities. Also, it shows a poor sense of decency to attack public men from behind the armour of a nom de plume. AH bandsmen must derive a certain pleasure from their societies. . I hope the public is not expected to pay for this, as well as contribute generously to their funds. The bands of Invercargill have nothing to complain about. They are well off as regards rotundas, etc., and the local authorities treat them very well. I do not as a rule join in an anonymous correspondence, and intend to ignore correspondence of this nature in the future. Also, Sir, my attention has been directed to the' concluding sentence of “Taurus” in to-day’s issue. This sentence, says, “to the devil with culture, education and universities.” This is the cult of the Boleheviki and the rest of his effusion is a travesty.—l am, etC- ’ W. HARDY. June 25.