South Canterbury Times FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1898.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2370, 30 December 1898, Page 2

South Canterbury Times FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1898.

We yesterday published some remarks on the necessity for provision being made for the proper treatment of “ incurables ” by the Hospital Board. A correspondent of the North Otago Times also dealt with the same subject in yesterday’s issue of that paper. He says “ There is one moat obvious want in this colony which should without delay be supplied by our paternal Government. I refer to the establishment and endowment of hospitals for incurable patients-one for the North and one for the South Island. They are hunted out of most hospitals without ceremony when found to be beyond recovery, they drift to old men’s homes, there to be neglected, and sometimes they do not even get that shelter. They creep away desolate, isolated, and hopeless, and die unknown and uncared for in this so-called civilised and progressive colony.”

The Timaru Band has been beaten in the contest, but they and their friends have consolations. Their marks are not far behind those of the winners, so that the contest was close, judged by the marks. If not first they are very near it. And there is always the general remark that judges’ tastes differ, and the tastes of conductors differ, and there is a considerable element of chance in the question whether the style of playing of any particular band will please the taste of any particular j udge.

VY biting of the performance of “ Hero Id,” the first night’s selection, the ... Otago Daily Times says“ The repetition of the piece by the six bands, together with intervals between the performances, occupied about a couple of hours, and comparatively few of those present did not remain throughout the whole of the competition. After hearing the rendering of the whole of the bands the conviction must be forced upon one that the playing was of a high standard. In fact, the benefits accruing from these contests were made manifest if the playing of.the competing bands be compared with the performances of those taking part in the last contest here. The comparison is altogether in favour of what was heard last night.”