BESSES 0’ TH' BARN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14310, 2 March 1907, Page 7

BESSES 0’ TH' BARN.

TO THE EDITOR.' Sir, —Will you allow me space in your valuable paper to express my disappointment, as & visiting bandsman to the late content, at not baying bad an opportunity of bearing tbo famous Besses o’ tli’ Barn Band? No'doubt the Exhibition authorities bad a reason for engaging it to play before and after the contest, but would it not liave been better if the visiting bands bad bad an opportunity of hearing this famous body of musicians for two rea- , eons: Firstly, that by bearing it it j would give our New Zealand bands a chance of gaining some valuable knowledge ; and, secondly, that it would have given, the Besses an opportunity of bearing and meeting some of our best . New Zealand bands in their full war j paint, which I feel sure they would have liked, and which honour we would | \ have fully appreciated. We feel our disappointment all tbo more keenly by the fact that this splendid band was touring through our 'districts while we were at the contest, and, therefore, is not likely to revisit those parte again. Thus we are deprived of the chance of hearing it unless we travel a hundred miles or so. I am fully aware that it is too late now to remedy this, but I was hoping that some abler pen than mine would have- taken the matter up before, as I believe that most of the visiting bands went to the contest in the full expectation of hearing the Besses, for it may bo years before w© may get another opportunity of hearing such a famous English hand as this one which, is now touring our colony.— I am, etc., A.W.R. Masterton. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —May I suggest through the. medium of your very valuable journal that if the Manager of the Exhibition could arrange for the entrance money on Sundays at the Exhibition gates to admit into the sports '•ground to hear the Besses o’ th’ Barn Band play in aid of memorials to our late and worthy Premier it would, I am sure, meet with ! great success. Visitors who can ill

i afford to pay at both entrances would : not grudge the one shilling. If the \ Manager cannot accede to this requests • [ am confident that a great number* of : the public will take their seats at the ; back of the Exhibition, as they did on. • Thursday afternoon, and so get goodi ' the cheap.—l am, etc., LOVER OF THE BESSES,