Children and the Band

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 6378, 13 February 1892, Page 2

Children and the Band

[to tiik bditok.]

Sin, —As a visitor to Napior, 1 was m-ich impressed with tho sign of progress and enterprise abundantly apparent going oi; in this little town, which certainly gives •lnjini-ic o." a gra:,d future for the p;ace. Then; ate i.uiv things about it that certainly gives me much pleasure. But tli-.-re is one thing that does not by any m-'ans, and if you will kindly afford mo a little space in your valuable paper I will endeavor to expLiu irryself, with the view of having some alteration made in that direction, not only for my own but other people's benefit who are loud in their complaint about it. Well, I was not long here before 1 discovered that tbe town possessed a very pretty aud central reserve called "the Square," iv which is erected a handsome rotunda for the use of the Band, which at intervals, aud iv a most liberal spirit, contributes very excellent music for the pleasure of the public This at once struck me as a mnvu in the right direction, as it should tend to entice many away from the billiard saloons, or aimlessly walking about the streets. Now, being passionately fond of music myself, you may bo sure I took advantage of the very first opportunity that presented itself of going to hear tbe Band and was present last night with my wife and family for a good two hours' enjoyment. But, Sir, that enjoyment was greatly marred by numbers of noisy children who were allowed to race t-uiin , the rotunda, drowning the music with their discordant yells, and distracting one's attention in a most disagreeable manner. And, further, in conversation with one of the Bandsmen (during the interval. I found that the noise created by these youngsters was most annoying to the performers themselves. _iow, Sir, I do not wish in any way to interfere with the enjoyment of the young folk when such enjoyment ia carried on in a legitimate and reasonable -way, but when it annoys and interferes with tho pleasure of so largo a number of people 1. think it should be put a stop to at ouce. But there is a more serious matter to which I would draw your attention in connection with this disturbance, viz., the profuse use of obscene lai'guage that is carried on am mg a number of youths ranging between the ages of twelve and fifteen. —I am, top., A VieiTou. Napier, Fobruary 11, IS9_.