no surer way of driving away visitors than this”. Another correspondent wrote a long letter under the signature of “Junius”, in which he said—“The way in which some of the footpaths in the neighbouring fields are being obstructed is scandalous; and one marvels where the public spirit is when these attractions of the place are being so ruthlessly swept away. Surely it does not require a very great degree of long-sightedness to discern the irreparable injury to our trade which a few years will disclose if the country walks about us are not protected. Does anybody think the visitors come here to look at stuccoed houses or to walk about the streets? Is it not notorious that are our beautiful scenery and romantic walks are the chief inducements to most persons who visit us?”
Rival Bands
Mainly at the instance of Mr. Clift — who was an ardent, but not very popular Liberal politician — a meeting was convened at the Town Hall by the Mayor, when the gentleman first named referred to the engagement of a German Band, last year, in consequence of several persons refusing to subscribe either to the band of which Mr. Elliott was leader or to the one which Mr. Colbran was leader. A subscription for the German Band was opened and well responded to, but an ill-feeling in the town was engendered, which he much regretted. Hastings was again in want of a band, and he believed Mr. Elliott did not now want the engagement. — Mr. James Meadows stepped forward and offered to supply a band of nine performers to play during the evenings at £7 per week. — Mr. J. Phillips proposed, and Mr. Bromley seconded that an evening band was sufficient. Mr. Elliott supported by saying that when the Hastings Band first met with opposition he sent his son to count the audience which the German Band obtained. The number was very small and at length it got the name of the “Nursemaids’ Band”. Mr. Gabb said as regarded the playing of a morning band in Wellington square, he knew many of the inhabitants wished it to Jericho. — Mr. Elliott said if a morning band must be had the Hastings Band could not be engaged. — Mr. Meadows said he could supply an efficient band by the following Monday. — An amendment was proposed by Dr. Steavenson that it was necessary to have a morning as well as an evening performance. This was seconded by Mr. Pagden (a lover of music in any shape). Mr. Elliott wished it to be distinctly understood that if the amendment was carried, the Hastings Band could not be engaged, and must becoming extinct, although it had existed 30 years. He was the father of that band, although that might not be much in its favour. — Mr. Elphick (a clarionet player in the Hastings Band) said that while Mr. Elliott had been going off, other -
