VOLUNTEER BANDS.

Press, Volume XLI, Issue 6153, 9 June 1885, Page 3

VOLUNTEER BANDS.

TO THE XDITOB OF THX FBXBB. Sm,— Anyone who watched the Volanteera marching to New Brighton on the Queen's Birthday most have felt for them. Instead of being able to take a good long stride, and so get over the ground quickly and walk comfortably, they were obliged to go in for a step of about ISin., and try in vain to keep time to a band which played such strange tunes, and kept such tome, that no one who had any ear for music could possibly march to- I don't blame the band, bat one cannot help thinking there is a want of supervision over them, or they have not been drilled, cr there in a hitch somewhere. If I might be allowed to offer a suggestion, I would recommend that one of the Volunteers (after being taught the length of a pace and the number of paces per minute) should be appointed DrumMalar, and he in turn should drill the band, and see that they marched in time and took a regulation pace. If that were done, men would like a march out, and would not object to go through the streets, as they do now, because they say (and justly to) that it is impossible to keep step to the present marches that are played, and that they only render themselves objects of ruUcule. If, however, the re-organising of the band is too Herculean a task, why not strike out a fresh line, and go in for fifes and drums, which are far better for marching to, as tie rear 'companies can catch the tone,owing.'to. the music being so much shriller. Abend of about twelve fifee and sir drums would be sufficient. Give each boy, say £& per annum and a uniform, and at the same fame* impose a fine for being late at practice or parade,

and then, with b good instructor, ana a Dram-Major, you would soon get tip a decent land, and the Volunteera would Dβ able to step to the regulation time and pace, a thing they have not done for many yeaw. To those who «rouldobjectto«us on the score of expense I Would remind them that there are now five Bifleepmpanies in Christchurch besides the, ArSUery battery, the Engineer company, and the Sydenham Rifles, who should also be aaked to subscribe to the fund, as they would all reap the benefit on the march, and thie, witk the capitation grant, would suffice. In conclusion, I would ask,-ie> this not another argument in favour of forming the companies into a battalion, with its own field officers, who would look after a matter of this kind and the interests of the battalion generally, and who would, moreover, teach Volunteers that they were members of a large body, and that the interests of other companies had to be considered besides their own. Yours, &0., Quick Step.