CHRISTMAS WAITS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20761, 2 January 1931, Page 12

CHRISTMAS WAITS.

Sir, —I read the letter signed "Peirc." He should remember that the music vas given to him free of cost. If he were to live in the country he would pay through the nose for it, and perhaps, like som« back-blocks people not get it at all. E myself would like to have a band play while in bed and not the dairy cow* calling to be milked. As regards ;ho door bell ringing, why one who works should be only too pleased to answer the door and give a few pence if he can afford it. I can honestly say that any money collected in that way does good. I wonder if "Peace'" knovs how many families got eatables through the Army on Christmas morning and thinks how lucky he is not to be included. Country Worker.

Sir, —'"Peace" has surprised me by his attack upon the Christmas waits, and more especially Salvation Army hands. I resided for 14 years in Auckland and played in several of the leading bands of the city and can only speak in thu highest terms of the conduct of the Salvation Army at Christmastide. I have never known any of its band to use drums nor blare trumpets while carolling, but have heard many a hearty "thank vcu" expressed by some of the Aucklanders who appreciated the good old carols, even if awakened from their slumbers. "Peace ' should be a bandsman and sacrifice his time, money and talent in the interests of "others" and ho would certainly havo a better "Christmas feeling" toward others. Residents of many a King Country town would be overjoyed to hear'a few carols played on Christmas mon:i:*.g, so perhaps "Peace" would feei better if he lived in one of these isolated towns or in that workers' ( ?) country, Russia, where "waits" are never heard. Trombonist.