WITH THE NEW ZEALAND BAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7802, 5 September 1903, Page 7

WITH THE NEW ZEALAND BAND.

The " Star's" special correspondent, who s travelling with, the New Zealand' Band in its Home tour, sends the following :— •■'■■•'•" (LETTER No. 8. LONDON, July 18, 1903. On July 11-we had an engagement at Alexandra Palace, well known to thft Colonial Coronation Contingents. The band ypyed really w.ell, although Ike playing of "William Tell" was scarcely as goodj as it has been; but the other nun*tr», I think, niade tip for what was amiss with,-the big selection. The attendance in the afternoon was wretched, but the evening concert was well patronised. From July 11 up / to date we have done no playing at all, and we do not expect any., engagements, before July 22. Every day convinces me that we have been brought here at the wrong time of the year. All the work by. bands is now beings done at the seaside, where, engagements are'being carried out by English bands, arrangements for which having been mad© four", five and six months ago, atr prices, from what we can gather, which, would just about pay board and travelling n^ expenses (railway, etc.) England is at> the present time full of bands of various kinds. The Band of Rome is the latest addition to the list, and is meeting with "ih-and-oufc *upporb, one town will give it good support, while' at others it has been playing to from £25 to £35 houses. Our position lias been exactly similar, but so far I have endeavoured to put the best possible side to New Zealanders, in the hope that matters would take a turn for. the better. I . do not think the feeling, of patriotism to- ■ wards New Zealand has assisted the venture one jot The ignorance of the English people generally with reference to the colonies is almost appalling, and the questions they ask at times would amuse any colonial. I feel certain that geography is no^ a -prominent subject in the educational system of the Old Country, otherwise this state of affairs would not exist. Apart from this, I am inclined to think that the advertising of the band's movements was not made as much of as it ought -to have been. It was all very well for placards to herald ' the fact that "'Hinemoa,' the Famous New Zealand Band.Nras. Coming," but if no intimation of the actual date was stufk up till two, three or four days before we • arrived, what use was advertising? There certainly was a. "screw loose" so far as that branch was concerned. Of one thing we are satisfied: the tour has not been a failifre from a musical point of view, because, as I have said in previous letters, our efforts have been highly appreciated wherever we have been, and our playing favourably compared with the best musical organisations in the United Kingdom. Inthis connection we, as bandsmen, ale satisfied ; but, on the other hand, the extent to which some of the bandsmen's pockets has been effected will seriously impede them for some considerable time to come. We leave definitely for New Zealand by the Gothic on July 31, and when I tell you that by the time we reach the colony (September 14) the men will have been- without wages for three months, in. addition to --losing ■ ■ -.th'e ■ money they have invested in the venture, you will be in. a position/to imagine- the Etate of affairs. LONDON^ July 24, 1903. . We 'have been busy during tie week fulfilling ( one or two engagements. prior to leaving for the colony. One was to Lord ■ Londesborough's seat at Blankley Hall, in Lincolnshire. Wo were treated handsomely, and, altogether, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. M'Leod (of Masterton), who is solo cornet this week, was presented, during the (afternoon, to the Earl and Countess of Londesborougk From-- Blanktey we proceeded to Gxamtham, where we put up for the night. Next morniag- we journeyed to Hkley, via Newark, Doncaster and Leeds, and we play dn the Pleasure Gardens here . (Ilkley) to-day and to-morrow. Saturday we go to HaiTogate, returning to Ilkley to give a saciedi programme on Sunday t after wiicL. we proceed to London to make final preparations for sailing. ; It is the intention of the band, I believe, to tour New' Zealand prior to disbanding* if at all possible. In all proTjability Nichol (Bluff) and Tombs (Palmereton North) will not return with the band. Ferguson (Inr vercairgill), fox family reasons, left for New Zealand by the Orient^ viat Australia, early last week. . In* my next letter I will deal with, the comparative merits of Home and colonial players; from observations taken on the tour, also a few remarks relative to the bands.of the Old Country as compared, in my 1 opinion, with those of Australia! and New Zealand. - '