HAMILTON LIGHT INFANTRY BAND.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1218, 20 April 1880, Page 3

HAMILTON LIGHT INFANTRY BAND.

TO TUB EDITOR. Sir, —With the best intention that can actuate any member of society I claim, with your peraii.s'uon, space to reply to " Citizen," whose letter appeared in your iss>uo of 13th instnnt, re misappropriation of funds by Hamilton Baud. " Citizen" desires an explanation, and ho is quite entitled to it. The position of the band at present is thusvrise: — For their uniform they owe £90 odd, they provide their lights for practice, also music (and note it members of H.L.I.V. corps, march music), they pay for instructions, say nothing about loss of time, two evenings every week for practice, and any member absent from any of these practices finds himself one shilling a poorer man, It is needless to say, as a volunteer band, they are not masters of their actions. Outside the band-room they dare not perform without the consent of the officers of the corps to which they belong, but with the consent of the officers are ever ready and willing to assist, as far as they can, any movement of plausible kind More than once (but once most unmistakeably) has it been proven to members of the band, by their officers, that the instruments on which they perform are not their property ; the instruments are the property of the captain of the corps, and shall be used when and where he pleases. Now, may I ask, does " Citizen" think that the members of the band (who have this £90 to pay, instructor to pay, musio to provide, and many other incidentals) should pay for instruments, which, if paid for, they could never call their own. The few moneys the band members receive falls far short of remuneration, and members will not loose their time and pay money out of their pockets to keep together and amuse and delight the public without the assistance of the public, whose property, strictly speaking, the band is. There ' is a document* still in existence on which appear the names of many who promised to subscribe to the fund for the liquidation of tte debt due on band instruments. Without any authority for saying it, I confidently assert that when this list, or the amount, it represents, ia fully paid up* should there be a defloienoy left,

the band will exert themselves to pay the balance. In oonolttsion, I' wish to impress upon " Citizen" that not one member of the band has profitted one cent by membership, but vice versa. This faot I can assert from experience, and subscribe myself in haste yours, &c, Tbnob.

The new Pure Cash System now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strictly carried out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must Bo a great gainer. G. and C. Soil their drapery, millinary, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bear aportion of the loss should the year's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and arc dctirmined to give the pure* cash system a fair trial ; whether they gain or lose the first year. Country buyers on remitting cash with order will bo supplied with goods at co-operative prices ; just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house furnrture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. &C. having realised the entire value of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is nkw and cheaply bought. An inspection is invited.— Garlick and Cranwell, City Hall Furnishing Arcade, Queenstreet, Auckland.