WAITAHUNA CHRISTY MINSTRELS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 224, 16 May 1872, Page 8

WAITAHUNA CHRISTY MINSTRELS.

(To tlie Editor.) £r«, — In your last issue is published a frit l-ev, emanating from a correspondent styling himself ''One of the ftFuifcferels," complaining, in the first plato, that my previous letter was a--tissue of direct falsehoods. To this t have to reply that I have or had no j purposes to serve by writing or stating a falsehood, and I here publicly state that I wrote the truth. With respect to the alleged promise to aid and assist at any time, or to be the first to guggest the late minstrel concert, every one here knows that I was employed miles away.; also, any one having any musical inclinations, and knowing the inhabitants here, must arrive at the conclusion at once, that nothing can be done in the shape of a musical entertainment for want of proper assistance, excepting at the most two or three individuals. "With respect to not returning on tbe Wednesday evening upon which so much stress is laid, I have here to say that when I arrived home, after working all day and walking eight miles in the evening, I found a person waiting for me upon private business, the nature of which I never for a moment considered that I should disclose to any one, and which occupied my attention for two hours. Respect inflf what Mrs. Eaton said to one of the minstrels, I lojow nothing. No doubt a'he spoke hpr own sentiments ; but, \]\:o #H othor women's tales, should -|tever 3 tt> listened to or carried about ffba> piaoo to place. The minstrels nm&t surely have had common sense #rw>ugh to know that it was my business ami theirs \n question. Tlie tnle ifsolf j*e&(?3 likft an phsupflity, and is bofiide the question. Mention also is made of flie'mishan or.wjcjden.t-that'-befel Jtfp. Darnell, jnr.-j being-a mere subterfuge. He himself stale^.it to be a yegiif f T 4n« o u Wednesday evening last DUsftWFHi 4$ \O P&SW it to jne, No

doubt, under all circumstances, I was expected to play. Now, Ido not pretend to play under any circumstances, for sometimes one is placed under peculiar circumstances. While playing even the very last time, I was called upon to hit the harmonium on the head with the fiddle-stick to cure it of its griping propensities. Neither do I pretend to perform what I have never learnt or read. The " Minstrel" for the future will understand that, if he calls upon an outsider in a rush or hurry, proper copies of the pieces should be placed in his hands, and he should not be expected to go round to the various members in the day to get their tunes whistled to him. In answer to the statement that I was at the first rehearsal, on A pril 6th, it was not so " pofessionally," but accidentally through passing by at the time from my work homeward. I could not for a moment imagine what was taking place inside the Athenaeum at the time in question ; so I put in my appearance en deshabile, and received a very cordial greeting. Someone ill the shadow of the corner was performing briskly on the valves and bellows >of a concertina, and no other instrument was moving at the time. I received the invitation to assume the "professional," but begged to be excused, as I "was occupied too many miles away to attend. After I left the outside door, I met someone with an implement or an object like a banjo that had no strings to it. I believe it was a banjo second. Of what use it was at rehearsals I could not imagine. I should say it was a " dummy." Throughout the "Minstrel's" letter mention is made of myself as being a " professional." This is intended no doubt as a great Jthrusc. lam well aware, although I^hatl studied instrumentation and counter- point under Bishop, the composed, in my youth, I never led any one to believe or consider me as such. Like the " Minstrel," I have to toil at hard, dirty work at the anvil, and have done so for many years. I have any amount of solos, exercises, and studies by me now that quite convince me that I shall never be able to play the instrument of which lam so fond. I need no telling upon the matter, as my hand is horny and my arm is too heavy to please even myself ; but sometimes I try to do my best. I would advise the " Minstrel," before he gives another concert, to take stock, if satisfied, to persevere unremittingly, without hurrying, and not to start before he is ready. Sir, trusting to your liberality for the last time, I beg to subscribe myself, — Tours respectfully, Thomas Eaton. Havelock, May 9th. P.S. — I have carried on this correspondence at a disadvantage, my antagonist not having the manliness to let me know him. I believe that I can arrive at a just conclusion although he is screened by an anonymous signature. [This letter must close the controversy. — En.]