SUNDAY MUSIC.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9917, 4 August 1910, Page 1

SUNDAY MUSIC.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In .your report of last night's City Council meeting, it is stated that permission to give a concert on Sunday next in aid of the Musicians' Benevolent Society was refused by the Council. Since then, however, the Mayor reiterated his previous promise to allow us to giv-e one concert. I would like to point out the objects of our Society. Briefly they are as follows :—To give practical (financial) assistance to any musician who, through misfortune, is rendered incapable of earning his livelihood; to give, as far as possible, donations to other deserving cases of charity that al*o brought under the Society's notice, and to give our services gratuitously at any musical function In the cause of charitv. M usicians are- always in the front rank of helpers'to the 'destitute by giving their' .services at benefit concerts and functions of all kind.'), even so far as drawing on their own purses; and why, I ask, are they to be thwarted in their endeavours to help their own. indigent brethren, as well as other cuses of distress, providing they do not trespass on public morals?

Apropos of Councillor Williams's remarks that " peoplo who loved concerts had six nights of the week, and surely they could respect the opinions of churchgoers," I would like to- point out that such is not the case. »s most of the professional musicians of Christchurch are engaged, every evering during the week at picture entertainments, and it is impossible to give a large orchestral concert on any niglit except Sunday. Even the Musics",l Union and Orchestral Society, through the courtesy of the various they're ,managements, draw on the hitter's orchestras for assistance when tho week-night concerts are given. Tho Councillors are cordially invited to attend our inaugural concert on Sunday next to see for themselves the manner in which it is carried out.—l am, etc., CHARLES PARNELL, Vice-president Musicians' Benevolent Society. Aucust -2.