THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14772, 11 October 1921, Page 6

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

(To the Editor.) cfir, —To-day’s issue of your paper draws public attention to the fact that our National Anthem was not sung or played during a local performance. Apart from the disloyal attitude, th' public miss very little by not hearing “God Save the King,” for this reason:

think ttiorc is no melody which is nurdered, drawn out, mutilated, played Tom memory, out of tune, etc., than )ur most glorious anthem, “God Save he King.” We find school children, choirs, brass hands, orchestras, picture heatres and public dragging ’.it along n a most unmusical manner. I am not i musician, and do not make any pretensions to be one, but I do think our nusical people and schoolmasters should teach the children and public generally how to play and sing “God Save the King.” The rendering of ‘God Save the King,” in my opinion, should be* a grand opening well susained to the last chord, sung in fair-v ast time, with the true British spirit, f our musical societies would only ive this air half-an-hour’s practice, hey would find some very fine studies i it. They should attack and hold firm ach note in tunc and time, played ouble F.F., together like one person, nd release in like manner, with the berties usually allowed a conductor on is rallenlandos and well-sustained auscs where required. People would oon learn to stand and listen for the ist great, long FF chord at the finale. would be an item on the programme, omething to enjoy, teach loyally, and ist, but not least, good manners to the moral public, and they would stand nd hear the finish, instead of the sual scramble and scamper on the try first note being struck. Finally, I think the schoolmasters or education boards should inspire the children to learn and sing the anthem, with a fine crisp rhthm even on Ihc boisterous side, rather than the usual tame, uninteresting fashion now in vogue- To those in command I would ask you to give this a trial at the next public performance and see if the people will appreciate your efforts, instead of bolting it in the present-day way. Personally I think the National Anthem, if nicely interpreted, a very inspiring melody, a credit to the writer and arranger.—l am. etc., GEO. 11. BOYD. RE FARES. (To the Editor.) Sir, —One of the most important factors in Ihe development, of any town is ils “fares.” I consider that we in Hamilton have just ground for complaint in regard lo the altogether unreasonable ’bus fares which we arc called upon to pay. There are many places in which ’buses are plying under similar costs to ours, but over rough and hilly roads, and the average fare is not more than 3d for a journey up to and including two miles. Another point about these ’buses of ours is that on no occasion do I remember having ridden on a ’bus from Frankton at night which was properly lighted, and sometimes I lie light has only been a flicker. The Borough Council is constantly raising the cry of finance as an excuse for waiting—here is an opportunity for it to get to work and consider tiie question of transport. If the Tins people are to have all I heir own way, they will naturally continue to consider, their own convenience only, if they use our streets, on which wo arc rated and for which we are responsible, surely we can say lo them “You must give us something like service at cost.” Another liiing, arc we not to have some rights to tell tiic.se people that they must suit our convenience lo a certain extent? I think that most of us are convinced that private ownership properly controlled is Ihc most economical, but one may venture to remind the company that the borough authorities have the means to their hand in the corporation of establish! g ils own services if Die ratepayers do not gel a fair run otherwise. There is, of course, much more in lids I,ban Die points I have touched on. a most important matter being its bearing on the rent question- An eiieryvlic i-omrnilD-e of (Tie Gonne.il might give os some interesting in forma lion and perhaps show those responsible Dial full 'buses at a reasonable fare pay heller Ilian empty ones at an unreasonable fare.-— I air, etc., TDD EE PENCE.