TO OPEN LETTER TO MAORILAND BANDSMEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5760, 2 January 1897, Page 7

TO OPEN LETTER TO MAORILAND BANDSMEN.

[From Tomtom.] Te Owhanga, New Brighton, Doc. 25. Tenaxot:,— Before most of you read tlieso linos i 897 will bo along, and '!)0 hiive been left asdern. 'i'lio retrospect is a decidedly happy one, for it has been a re- • markable year. Right through the Anstralias bandsmen liave advanced in a marked degre.. Contest, in New South Wales and Victoria have been many, mid tho recent " intercolonial contest " has features that ought to be copied, viz., a Government grant aud concessions ! When tho New South Wales Government voted the acceptable amount of £'l"iO they gave bandsmen a status, one which our Liberal Government ou some future occasion may copy, but tha. is outside my province, and one that doubtless will be brought bofore various M.H.R.'s. In this colony wo can boast of a moderate number of brass bands— lß-1- all told. Thoy rank from tho 0.G.8. calibre down to the modest bush sawmill ones, aud the total number of players is well nigh incredible. As a colony, aud on. the bnsis of population, Maoriland laps clean over the world ! Wo aro a musical lot, and authentic records from the Trade Journal give us credit for importing music and instruments in excess of other colonies. Therefore, to interested parties, I commend the action of the New South Wales Government, and am content to change my key. Bourke, Wollongong, Sydney, Hobart. and several places in Victoria have held contests apart from the "Intercolonial," and right through matters have brightened. Here, in Maoriland, Southland held an excellent contest, and splendid work was tho result for the second standard bands. The Association's annual contest at Dunedin was an unqualified success, and even the Maoris in tho far north had ono on a modest scale. Then thero is the West Coast contest coming on, and the Intercolonial, at present in full swing in Wellington. Of a surety 1896 has proved quite a record year. But a large number of you bandsmen are not true to yourselves. Why, I ask, is the Association notbetter supported ? In years gone by, and up to f 1 • ■ o, I assert that the New Zealand Bands At • iation has not been supported as it deserves. The reasons are paltry and assailable from many points. Association means success, advancement and a useful and powerful combination that would be for the undoubted benefit of every bandsman, but as there are only about a score of bands to maintain tho Association it is not encouraging. Take athletics, swimming, rowing, cricket " and other allied sports — even obscure clubs join their Associations, pay their fees, strenghten the . whole fabric, and display a spirit that many of you could copy with advantage and credit. Surely you don't think the Association is formed solely for running contests ! So long as it is left to battle along with but meagre support, other branches of usefulness must perforce be neglected. You cannot bo ignorant of the advantages of association ; the aims and objects thereof ought to soar higher than the annual contest, they should be for the general good of every band within tho colony, and when all — or nearly all — affiliate, then, possibly, a series of contests . for first, second and third standard bands will eventuate. The Association should be strengthened legitimately by bands joining, and as the annual fee is nominal, I trust 189 V will see a mighty accession to the Association's roll. Perhaps your band will not be able to compete alongside older and better ones ; still, unity comprises a wider range of operations and a sphere of usefulness hitherto lacking in the Bands Association. It is not the fault of the office bearers, past or present ; but strictly tha.t of those who stay outside the fold. The foregoing remarks are not inspired by any one, but aro merely a reflex of opinion which I hold and am prepared to battle for. Beally, the present membership is a reproach to many of you and ought to be removed quickly. I have never heard an argument that would hold water against association, and ask you to consider your position ; decide and act. I do not fear the result, it will mean a rapid advance in musical matters, and make the Association an organisation ' that will bo quite a factor in Maoriland. Many of you are up to date, others are behind the tiir&s; but if you are broad-minded, sincere,

*. ,and'have a single eye to tho betterment of '~~/ yoi-f'selves, then you will unite and become ' "^ concrete body. Lieutenant Siddall, .§S__ time back, mooted the idea of a /^Scholarship. The notion redounds to his. "-'credit. It would be a worthy object to "attain, and as this colony showed English winds that Associations were possible, why aot give them another pattern to copy? Atinvercargill the Lieutenant's sentiments ..'were applauded, endorsed, etc. — hut at that .. indefinite stage matters havo stopped ! Why ? '„ Two years ago, in this column, I referred to the question, and it was then considered a wise proposal. Surely it is worth more than passive commendation, and should result in something moro practical. In centres like Invercargill, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland, headquarters might beestablished wlieremusicnl papers could be filed, and bandsmen could fraternizo and hold periodical meetings for lectures on music ; for many of you have something to learn. There, are no unsurjnountable difficulties in the way, for surely if a suburban football club can run something similar united bandsmen in our towns could do as well, if not better. None of you can gainsay the fact that thero is an element wanting, to place bandsmen on a much better footing, and that element is prevalent in more places than ono. Musical jealousies — like the sinful — are ever with us, you should hoist tho truce flag when off the contest platform and be one harmonious brotherhood, banded together for mutual improvement _nd increased musical knowledge. Unfortunately, Maoriland is not the hub Df the musical world, though, if tho sentiments of sonic of yon wero accepted, one would be led to suppose it was. I can name places where bandsmen meet at stated periods and aro treated to lectures on subjects musical, and educated in the ithics of music by learned lecturers. That s a commendable institution, and one vhich you should copy; tho knowledge cained repays all. At a recent Lecture ver eight lnmd.ro*! attended, chiefly

bandsmen. Whatever the outcome may be, tho matter is one I have no scruples in mentioning oiice again. Another feature of the year was the fact of a Maori band touring the colony ; maintained, too, by a chief who has an inordinate love for brass baud music, and a gentleman whose pursestrings are loosened whenever, funds are required. Boosey and Co., and the old favourites, Wright and Round, maintained their prestige for music, and the two selections for the year were capital tests. There has not been any unpleasantness in connection with bands, but a better feeling all round :md signs of general improvement, winch betoken a livelier interest than v over and are an augury of good days alien d. Never before has the outlook been so cheery, and the new year opens auspiciously indeed.

Personally I have to express my gratitude to Wright and -Sound, and Boosey nud Co., for special favours, which have been' of great assistance to me. The good feeling existing is pleasant; may it continue and increase, for.all interested .bene-.' fiyby it. To Messrs M'Lellan, Gillies and Wills 'all are indebted, for their share of work during the year has beon. heavy, and has been carried out iv an enthusiastic spirit, and with excellent results.' Lieutenant Siddall, the Hon George Jones, Mr Otto Schwartz, Mr T. Herd, Lieutenant Mohr, Mr W. F. M'Lean, Mr R. Trist Searell, Mr James Mitchell and others, are still enrolled amongst the workers, and may thoy see many a happy year yet. Oamaru Garrison has regained pride' of place. They brought out a brilliant young conductor, and displayedband characteristics and virtues which are admirable, and happily proved victorious. Waimate fellows are going abend, and are iv a much better condition than ever; Timaru aro pulling together, and the Christchurch bands keep up their standard. Sydenham, under their veteran counsellor, friend and conductor (Mr M'Lean), are just as plucky as of yore; Staumore aud Engineers are contesting, and the Garrison are sure to be on hand at the Association's contest. Wellington Garrison are iv splendid trim, aud will entertain visitors from New South Wales and this colony' fittingly. Invercargill Garrison are flourj ishing, but I regret that the samo cannot Ibe recorded concerning tho Guards. Kni- [ korai. Dunedin Navals, Citizens, Garrison and Engineer- are keeping together,- and, jbesfc of all, the members aro in good heart. Before closing I must thank specially those correspondents through whose indulgence and kindness I havo been assisted iv no small degree; to name each would bo a task. Without any feeling of false delicacy, I may remind you that the Canterbury Times ancl the Christchurch Star are the only two journals in Australasia that regularly cater for bandsmen. For some four years now tho management have extended us space and courtesy, published records, and given us due recognition, and whether their solitary position is one for special gratitude or not is entirely your affair, I hold my own. opinion. "B Natural" I thank for his musical reminder that the space devoted is not barren of interest, ancl if correspondents — bandsmen and others — extend me like assistance in the future as in the past, then shall I be moro than ever indebted to them. In the musical world the future of the Brass Band is fast improving, and if ! Maorilanders desire to keep pace with the j times, it means they will have to work, study, combine, and assist in raising the status of bands and improve by every possible means. Lamb said "music was measured .malice ! " Carlyle wrote disparagingly of ifc, but Luther said "it makes people milder, gentler, moro moral and more reasonable" I believe it does; so remember Luther's words ; don't heed Lamb's statement for " music washes from the soul the dust of everyday life." A HAprr Nnw Year to You All.