MUNICIPAL BAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 22, 26 January 1935, Page 8

MUNICIPAL BAND.

In. reply to "Listener" and "Two Drum Sticks," I wish to point out that I mentioned fife, pipe and bugle bands in my letter, but the editor for some reason cut that part out. "Listener" says he has seen the drummers in mounted bands using two sticks; yes, but those were tympanum drums, and, besides, the horses never had to keep stej), so he does not know what he is talking about. The drummers of the fife, busrle or pipe bands usually use two sticks in playing retreat and tattoo and coming from a funeral. I myself as a full private have followed the band for eighteen years, and I have never seen the bass drummer of the regimental band use two sticks when on the march. Tell me how a company commander can start his company off in a march past on the correct foot if there are two sticks swinging. I have taken part in many a birthday parade, also trooping the Colour in England and India, and I have never seen a bass drummer using two sticks. Would "Listener" and "Two Drum Sticks" come and see me and tell me what military band they have seen in which the bass drummer used two sticks? I am sure they have never marched past the saluting point with the command "Eves right!" ringing in their cars. ' ' W. MALTBY.