GRENDIER GUARDS BAND

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21355, 24 December 1934, Page 11

GRENDIER GUARDS BAND

TO THE EDITOB 0? THE PRBSS. Sir,—The circular says "Under the auspices of the Commonwealth Government and the New Zealand Government in association with the Cenitenary celebrations council of Victoria •'• 1 should like to know just what this implies so far as the New Zealand Government is concerned? Does it mean that the New Zealand Government is financially interested as if so it seems a cogent argument for my contention that the lowest adm ssion charges should be nominal and the space allotted for the least exPG Some e % a ylars m So the New South •Served, and standing room fox an nrrhestra why cannot it be j* n^n^, 1 S-day fo1 ; the Gene.dier Guards Band.' —Yours, etc.. ~ CHARLES R. CLARK. December 23, 1934.

U-0 MI EDrrOli oy TUB FKES.S. Si ,_l wish to support Mr Charles Clark in his protest against the conditions under which "The Band of hi* Malay's Grenadier Guards is S-aveS through New Zealand. Mr John Fan-ell says that "the greater part of the music it will play cannot be heard to advantage in the open Sir." Personally, I think that Mr Farrell should try again. The band is a military one, and its nrimary duty is to lead the regiment on the march. In the days which are long past, I have heard all the Guards bands and other military bands playing under their home conditions and it would be only the barest truth to say thai I have seldom heard them anywhere but in the open air. I.ir Fan-ell seems to suggest that the band is mainly orchestral, which would seem contrary to fact. The orchestral side ii* merely an augmentation for indoor concert purposes, and this has been concentrated upon to make money. When the negotiations, extending over many years, were being conducted, was it made quite clear to his Majesty that the Band of liis Grenadier Guards was to become a travelling company of musicians under the

auspices of a theatrical company? I think there is only one answer to that; question. His Majesty is apparently quite satisfied that his band is passing through the country giving pleasure to the people of New Zealand; and be it rioted, the people are not fully represented by those who are able to pay prices beyond the reach of the majority. His Majesty is King of Mew Zealand, and this is one of his personal bands, presumably placed at the disposal of his Majesty's Government in New Zealand, else what is the meaning of the term "under the auspices of the Australian and New Zealand Governments?" I suggest that his Majesty and the acting authorities in London be made acquainted with the state of affairs as they are at present,. so that there shall not be a repetition of such in the future. Christchurch has two band rotundas where the band could be heard to great advantage by the people, and which I believe would give tar greater pleasure to bis Majesty than any number of early-door prorrammes.—Yours, etc., S. H. HEAD. December 23, 1934.