BAND FOR THE BOYS.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1866, 10 March 1913, Page 3

BAND FOR THE BOYS.

CONDUCTOR WANTED.

FIFES OR BUGLES?

The cadet boys of Palmerston North are yearning for a band. it seems that they are as keen as mustard to blow on fifes or rattle drums or blair on bugles or even to listen to others doing it so as to be able to swagger along with that independent gait which comes to all of us when a band plays. But. there is one vital difficulty. They cannot get a conductor. Captain Willoughby, who is as enthusiastic on this matter as the boys are, is not at all afraid that the announcement of the need of a conductor w'll overwhelm him with offers for the post. He is earnestly desirous of meeting a gentleman able and willing to fill the bill. It is probable that the instruments chosen will be bugles. The department provides two bugles for each company, so that the three Palmerston North companies possess among them six bugles. On this preliminary half dozen costing nothing, the band is to be built up. It has been suggested that drums and fifes are more stirring—more resonant of the martial spirit and the light quick step—than is the vibrant bugle. But, as Captain Willoughby points out, the bugles are available without charge; the fifes would cost money. And that settles it.

It was further pointed out to this officer that, in a town so famed for its enthusiasm as Palmerston is, the musical ambition of three companies of cadets can never'be squeezed into the compass of. six bugles. There will be twenty, fifty, perhaps a handred of these little, soldiers coming forward as cuididati sfor the band. And then it would be cheaper to buy fifes than to make up the number with bug-les. The Captain's reply was eloquent. All .music won't do. he said. We want*a few boys left to be the soldiers.