THE LYTTELTON VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY BAND.

Press, Volume XIV, Issue 1828, 20 February 1869, Page 2

THE LYTTELTON VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY BAND.

TO THE EDITOB OF THE PRESS. Sib, —I observe in your issue of to-day a letter tfigned "Bomb" (I suspect his real name ia Bombast) commenting upon a letter signed " Bombardine" which appeared in the " Press 1, of yesterday, and professing to give the facts of fche case, but having fallen very far short of doing BOj I a Ji induced to supply the same, viz:— When the question of music came before the committee of the society, one of the members stated, without the slightest authority from the L.V.A., that the battery band would not play without payment. This statement was carried to an officer of the battery, and he at once called on the originator of the canard, who said he was afraid he had put his foot in it, bj making such assertion ; but he fancied, because the Christchurch Yeomanry Cavalry

Band always received payment for their services on these occasions, that tho band of the L.V.A. would expect the same. However, before leaving, the officer received an ample apology from this member of committee During the day, the following letter [ccc below] was received by the senior officer in Port, and replied to as shown. On the secretary to the committee receiving the reply to his letter, ho at once engaged the band to play while the show lasted, and told them to hold the platform against all comers. For, although another member of the committee (from feelings of unchanged affection for the batten/, in which he once held a commission) had tried hard to harrow the feelings of the visitors by engaging another band composed of four players, the leader of which was unable to tune hia instrument for a duet with Mr Zincgraf on the piano at the concert for Mrs Rayner, he (the secretary) wished to see the Artillery Band (which is universally allowed to be the best in the province) perform. As to the party Mr Bomb mentions so frequently being insulted by the L.V.A. Band, why "Bomb" has got hold of the wrong pjg's tail. The same injured party on the occasion of a concert given by the, battery in aid of the widow of a late officer, and when the room was crowded with the rank and beauty of the place, appeared on the platform in a dreadful state of inebriety, and so insulted the conductor, that he left the piano, and thereby offering an insult to the battery. I -will not intrude further upon your kindness, Mr Editor, nor do I expect " Bomb" will either, for I rather fancy when this match is applied to his fuse he will explode, although from being empty, no one will be found to be injured. I remain, &c, BOMBABDONS. Lyttelton, Feb. 19,1869. [letteb eepbeeed to above.] November 22, 1869. The Officer commanding the Lyttelton Volunteer Artillery, Lyttelton— Sic, —Will you permit the Lyttelton Volunteer Artillery Band to play at the Horticultural Society's Show on Wednesday next. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, J. Cabdeb, Secretary L. and P.V.H. Society. [eeply.] November 22,1869. With pleasure. H. H. Knowxes, Captain L.V.A.