BANDSMEN'S CHRISTMAS BENEFIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1917, Page 8

BANDSMEN'S CHRISTMAS BENEFIT.

To tho Editor. Sir,—Referring to the above heading, it will perhaps be remembered that last year the bandmaster brought forward a now scheme to take the place of "midnight" Christmas carolling, it having been the custom here to allow the bands, men to devote the cash proceeds of such carolling to their own! benefit. The system | or custom was rjot a very popular one with residents, and in addition it was very, much abused, and the suggestion was made that a special bandsmen's benefit be organised, and special donations be solicited, so as to dispense with the old system. Last year's response was very satisfactory, and the citizens' committee are asking that this method be adopted annually. With this in view, the bandsmen will give) a special Christmas recital on Thursday evening next {December 6) in Pukekura; iPark, when the programme will be of an appropriate nature. Private contributions to this fund will be accepted by the undersigned up till Saturday evening next, December S after which the'appeal will [be closed. As has been pointed out- jon several occasions, th'e men are makih" sacrifices all the year round, and soJne small recognition of these services in tjlie way suggested should be forthcoming ft is not the actual amount raised that, concerns us, so much as the seutimrtnt underlying the effort, 'because when you come to divide £.lO to £4O (last yeajr's approximate figures)' among 30 to MO bandsmen, it can scarcely lie considered recompensing, them for their 12 months' sacrifices. We trust that this rear's result will far surpass that of last year, and bo in keeping with and worthy of the special efforts made by the bandsmen to give pleasure to the public. We make this appeal with tho utmost confidence, because we feel that it is a just ono.-' We are, etc.,

E. n. SOLE, ' Chairman Citizens' Committee. 2. W. G. ItJeLmn, L.T.S., Conductor. New Plymouth, December ,1, 1917