CORRESPONDENCE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 281, 12 November 1934, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE

It must be distinctly understood that we are not to be identified with the opinions expressed by correspondence in our columns. Support for the Band (To the Editor). Sir—l would deem it a favour if you grant me space to pen a few lines on the urgent need of funds for our Oil; zees’ Band. In the first place 1 happen to be one of the citizens to whom tne 334 circulars were sent out, as referred to by the Mayor at the meeting of Friday evening I quite agree that we should at least have apologised for our absense. Hoivever, 1 feel that J owe this apology to the Mayor and wiil at the first opportunity do so. His Worship has tor many years past, as Mayor or otherwise, rendered very valuable service to the band, and we must nowjnost certainly back the Mayor and Citizens’ Committee up in this appeal. Surely it is not too much for us to ask for £51)0 straight out. We have the finest band in New Zealand, particularly for its team spirit. How many other towns can we name that are one one year at concert pitch, yet the next year unable to turn out a band? We have now had our band at concert pitch for years, which says quite a lot for its conductor, and also for its Citizens’ Committee. The right spirit is with them all, including the Mayor and Council. The Mayor says we have to ask ourselves a question “do we want a band or not?” Why, of course, we do, anj Hastings would be no longer Hastings without it. That being the case, 4 wish to make a suggestion to tile Committee on the line of a personal appeal, as suggested by Mr. Hull. I understand we have one donation of £2O already promised, Mr. H. M. Campbell, M.P., undertaken to give this when the first £BO has been raised. According to the press one £5 donation has already been given and Mr. Baird and Mr. Holt have led off the guinea subscriptions. 1 would suggest that an endeavour be made to get donations in the following order;— £ One of £2O 20 Two of £lO 20 Five of £5 25 One hundred of £l/1/- •.. 105 One hundred of 10/6 52 10 One hundred of 2/6 12 10 5,339 of 1/- 266 19 A total of £526 19 As mentioned above £2O, £5, and two £l/1/- donation are already in sight. The election roll total is 13,322. This total less deletions 228, and the 408 mentioned above as given larger amounts anj 800 unable to give makes, 5339 who could give 1/-. This is only half of the registered residents. In conclusion sir let us get behind the Citizens’ Committee and once again show that Hastings can and will rally round in any cause that will keep Hastings first and foremost of any in New Zealand. Yours, etc., “OLD BANDSMAN.” Hastings, November 11/34. Finances of the Band (To the Editor.) Sir,—Reading Mr Maddison’s and others’ utterances in the “Tribune” regarding the Hastings Citizens’ Band, while also noting the poor attendance of the public at the meeting on Friday night, one would think these were boom times. We are to believe that a reserve fund must be built up to keep the band going, and that the band still attend all contests, at approximately £4OO a contest, this allowing for the engaging of one or two professional players to help the band through. The only way out of its financial trouble is lor the band to stop at home for one or two contests, as other bands in New Zealand have to do, and to build up their funds. They cannot have it both ways. The ratepayers are already giving something like £450 a year. The sum of £lOO of this is put aside as an instrument fund up to £lOOO. The balance, I expect, goes to pay conductor, leaders, secretary etc. Regarding the visit of the Duke of Gloucester, the duration of which will be about 60 minutes. I hardly think the Duke will have time to inspect the band, or notice the condition of their uniforms. For myself, I think they are quite smart to look at. As regards the band playing out 174 times in the year, this averages over three performances per week, surely hard to believe. I notice the chairman of committee did not mention how many subsidy concerts the band gave for the year, of which they have to give twelve—puzzle, where does the money go ? It is not in rent, as I believe the premises cost one shilling per year, and are producing rent for the band by dances and other amusements. I could go on, Mr Editor, but enough just now.—Yours, etc. “RATEPAYER.” Hastings, 12/11/34.

[The subsidy at present being paid to the Hastings Citizens' Band is £2OO a year—Ed. H.B.T.] Proud of Them All (To the Editor.) Sir, —As an “Old Contemptible” who was at Mons in 1914 and also on Armistice Day. 1918, I read with interest the cutting “The Famous Fiftyfirst” and also “An Old Scot’s” own remarks. 1 entirely agree with him that they were a fine division, and he has every right to be proud of them, but let him not forget that England, Ireland, Wales, Australia, Canada, Newfoundland, South Africa and New Zealand also sent divisions who did equally well and we should be proud of them all. Has he not heard of the 29th Division? If not ask any Anzac who was on the Peninsula, or such regiments as the Manchester, Dublin Fusiliers, Connaught Rangers, Welsh Fusiliers, The P.P.C.W.I.’s, to say nothing of the Anzac Corps. But why go on? One could mention dozens of them. Now “Scotty,” having paid our respects to-day to the pals we left behind,

I would suggest that instead of swelling our chests in vain glory that we ask ourselves, as our well-known Chaplain to the Forces does: “Was the sacniici worth while?”—Yours etc., “OLD CONTEMPTIBLB.” Hastings. 11/11/34. The “Fifty-firsts” and Others (To the Editor.) Sir, —A line or two in reference to the letter written to draw attention to the “Fifty-first” Division, and published in the “Tribune” the day before Armistice Day, which was founded to commemorate every division that served. The laughable story about the German general and the “first in order of terribleness” has been told, to rrrknowledge, of the following divisions (and there nwy be others): The 3rd ami sth Australian divisions, the British 29th and 42nd, the Ist Canadian, and the poor old New Zealand Division. In answer to “An Old Scot” I would 'ike to remark, on behalf of the Australian Army Corps, the Canadian Corps, the South African Brigade, th< glorious and modest 4.000.000 Tommies and the troops from Now Zealand where, per cent, of population, num enlisted than in Scotland, “we also I*lped.’’—Yours, etc.. “BORN NEW ZEALANDER.” Hastings, 12/11,44.