COLLECTION AT BAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 68, 19 March 1908, Page 2

COLLECTION AT BAND.

(To the Editor.} Sir, —Last Sunday afternoon the Auckland City Band played in the Albert Park. Mr. West, the band's secretary, advertised that a collection would be taken up by permission of the Mayor, and hoped the public would respond liberally to the first financial help the baud asked for. Having made arrangements to meet some friends at the gates, a friend of mine, whilst waiting for them to arrive, counted the people who came in through the gate without giving anything whatever. After noticing that 70 to 80 people came in and gave nothing, my friend gave up the counting in disgust. Considering the public of Auckland are provided free of cost with band music nearly every Sunday and Wednesday evening for half the year, I think it contemptible meanness on an add occasion life this, and after being specially asked through the Press, for so many of the public to go RV in their tailormade suits, and dolled up in their best, and enjoy the music for two hours without giving a farthing. Surely this is a case of selfishness and meanness not to the credit of the young men and women of Auckland. If we are to encourage our bands, ,we will need to treat them differently.—l am, etc.. OCCASIONAL VISITOR.