CORRESPONDENCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19952, 9 November 1934, Page 13

CORRESPONDENCE

BAND CONTEST FOR PIPERS. To the Editor of " The Timaru Herald ” Sir.—Many years ago in London, I made an orchestral arrangement of popular melodies with the title “A Musical Muddle,” somewhat in the style of Finck’s “Melodious Memories,” only more so, and it has been resurrected In my mind in connection with the unexpectedly sudden decision last night, to stage a Pipe Band Contest in Timaru on the day before the Brass Band competitions. (Incidentally the so-called citizens’ meeting on the matter, was merely a farce and a camouflage). Will any official of the pipe bands give me one sensible reason for such a narrow minded dog-in-the-manger attitude? I should imagine that the task of providing the necessary funds and accommodation for the brass bands will be no light task without having a clog put in the machinery by a rival concern, and I am astonished at the Mayor’s pusillanimity in countenancing it. Apart from the unpleasant suspicion of jealousy thus exhibited, it is still another example of Timaru’s penchant for muddling anything musical. There seems to be no musical organisation in the town (apart possibly from the church choirs) that is run with anything approaching commonsense or musical perception. Naturally, I hold no brief for either of the above bands —I cordially dislike both (unless perhaps the bagpipes in their accustomed place amongst the Scotch heather at a slight distance), and I therefore cannot be accused of any bias in that respect; but I do sincerely hope that Timaru residents will provide neither funds nor accommodation for the pipers on the 16th of February next. —I am. etc., J. D. PARKIN. Timaru, November 8. PIPE BANDS' CONTEST. To the Editor of “ The Timaru Herald ' Sir.—lt is noticed in your to-day’s issue that the pipe bands are holding a Dominion contest in Timaru on Saturday, February 16, 1935. Do you not think that the pipe bands, by this action, are transgressing on the period set aside for the Brass Bands’ Championship? Is it not a fact that the president of the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association requested the public of Timaru to abstain from holding a pipe bands’ contest, or any other like function, that would interfere with the attendance at the Brass Bands’ Championship? The advice meted out by this gentleman should be given earnest consideration before anything further is done in the matter of a pipe bands’ contest. If the pipe bands were to hold their function at a later date, say Easter Saturday or the King’s Birthday, would it not be much more satisfactory for all concerned? | Apart from affecting the attendance j at the Showgrounds, it seems rather a J shame that a week’s good music should j be spoilt by the heathenish noise, made I by a large crowd of so called pipers, j for a whole day on the previous Saturday. Hoping that an abler pen than mine will take this matter up.—l am, j etc.. GOOD MUSIC. | Timaru, November 8. THE BAY VIADUCT SHELTER. To the Editor of " The Timaru Herald 1 Sir.—lt is almost certain that, were it put to a vote of the residents and ratepayers of the borough, 90 per cent, would oppose the Council’s proposal to demolish the recently-erected viaduct shelter, which is quite in keeping with its surroundings, and is a splendid piece of work, capable of serving its intended purpose for many years to come. One wonders who told the “cow-shed” members of the Council that, a top-her.vy, clay tile roof, on a low and light wooden structure, is more artistic than a suitably coloured iron roof. If there is one aesthetic in the Council, he. has, no doubt, already informed his fellow members that such a combination of porous clay and timber has long been regarded as one of the most atrocious architectural incongruities that can be perpetrated on an unoffending public; and that this inharmonious combination is seen at its worst in small buildings, such as that proposed to take the place of the present shelter. If surplus money is burning holes in the pockets of our borough treasurer, let it be spent on removing the useless and hideous oldsleeper and wire fence, extending along the strip of garden, from the shelter in question to the railway gates, and set, at intervals, a little way back from the edge of the side-walk, a number of comfortable seats, on which visitors and others might rest and read, as an agreeable change from bathing, sauntering and lolling on the bay. The two gentlemen who are most anxious to force an artistic oddity upon us, should remember that beauty in the wrong place is ugliness. They should also recall how determinedly they strove to prevent the removal of a wrongly-placed traffic dome in the viaduct area. Reflection on these j points might cause them to “ca’canny” I in the present discussion, but, I doubt j if it will do so.—l am, etc., A. M. PATERSON, j Timaru, November 8.