THE BAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 17 March 1926, Page 6

THE BAND.

To the Editor of the “Timaru Herald.” I Sir,— Kindly alloy me space in your columns, to give a lew'filets concerning tlie Tiuiaru Band. I‘ have been connected 'with this Band for a great number of years and have never - once seen it down so fur as at present. In your leader in a recent issue, and also in Mr Lamb’s letter, you both" seem to lay stress oh what a good conductor can do. Perhaps you both are right, arid perhaps you aro both wrong. You seem to imagine a good conductor like Mr Ricketts lias, only to come here and once again we will have a good Band. Why not get to the root of the trouble, which has brought the Band down to what it is? Let me tell you, sir. IVo can have no Band here until there is harmony among the players themselves. Therein is all the trouble. The Band are not a happy family, some members using the Band as a makeshift, some willing to participate in its advantages and not join in its disadvantages. Again, why not give those 15 or 16 players who are standing by their guns a little encouragement. They have only an amateur conductor at present, but he is keeping the ball rolling, arm I understand he is not in love with at position which has to stand knocks and shoves from right and left. He would sooner play his cornet than wield a baton, and I am sure the public will agree with me there. Lastly, sir, why all this fuss over Mr Ricketts? Has New Zealand no men fit to take command of our Band? There is no, man in New Zealand who will make a band out of 28 discontented men, but seeing iv conductor with wide expenenco and ability is required, why go past the man who first brought championship laurels to Timaru. What is wrong with Mr Schnack? Is lie not capable of making pur Band champions once again ? With the present conductor as leador and the gaps filled- up with young players who will ta.ko an interest, and not growl all day, and Mfl Schnack at the head, once again, 1 cannot see why Timaru cannot have, a ; champion Band. In fact, the. best way out for the Council is to wind up the old Band and start over again, and. 1 am sure, Mr Editor, you in your kindness could assist this method of procedure very nmch^l