CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 153, 24 November 1914, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

CONCERNING THE BAND. (To the Editor.) Sir, —I take it that tlie actions of cvrtrv public body, whose existence is based on the support it receives from tho public, are open to honest criticism. This must bo my excuse for broaching a subject which, after all, must largely be a matter' of opinion. "However, I find that in advancing my theory that the best interests of the town have" not been served in the choice of new instruments for the Citizens' Baud I am in excellent company. I should like to ask those gentlemen who composed tho selection committee a couple of very pertinent questions. 1. Was the choice of instruments based on the ground of merit or on financial economy? 2. Would they supply the names of any lirst-class colonial bands now using and satisfied with the make of instrument chosen for New Plymouth? It sems to me, Sir, that the question of cost need not have entered into the matter as far as our town is concerned. My teaching lias always been that the ,bcst article ia tho cheapest, and not vice versa. Usua'iy tiie first question which confronts a band when new instruments are mooted is the one'of ways and means. The necessity for discussing this in New Plymouth was non-existent, as the cash is already in the hands of responsible men , awaiting dispersal. Hence my reason for : saying that there was no necessity to 1 discuss this aspect of tho question. The 1 manufacturers have one price for their : instruments, and were not likely to ask : any more for them from New Plymouth j than from any other town, The matter of finance, therefore, being disposed of, there now remains only the question of merit. And this, as I mentioned earlier, must be largely a matter of opinion.. This being so, there is only one way to arrive at a right conclusion, and that is, by seeking information as to what class of instruments are favored j by conductors of the first-class bands. And T presume this has been done by our Selection Committee. If so, they Would confer a favour upon quite a lot of the musically inclined of New Plymouth liy answering my second question, and especially to myself, as I have no wish in the world to hold an underestimate of any particular make of instrument. I hold no brief for any. There are. certain first-class makes on the market, however, that have individuality indelibly stamped upon them. If the committee have not made themselves acquainted with the status of popularity of the different makers, then they have failed in the trust reposed in them l>v the community of our town. I quite recognise the right of any band to say what make of instruments they shall have without outside interference, but such a lot has been heard lately of the rights of the public in connection with band matters that no apology is needed on my part for again drawing attention to them. Trusting my questions hayo not been impertinent, but only pertineht. —I am, etc., MUSICAL. November, 24, 1914. '