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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Taranaki, Hawke's Bay & Wellington Provincial Districts]
[introduction]
Of all studies music claims the greatest number of enthusiasts, and it also exercises the greatest influence-over the finer senses. Nothing is more elevating to the mind than the sweet symphonies of a cathedral organ; nothing so stirs the pulse as the inspiriting martial strains of a military band; and to the restless babe no sound is so pacifying as the soft crooning of a mother's lullaby. Every town of consequence in New Zealand has its musical societies and bands, and in the larger centres the municipal bodies subsidize the local bands to perform free open-air concerts. Musical entertainments given by the amateur societies are, generally speaking, of a high standard. The most successful theatrical companies that visit and tour New Zealand are those playing grand and comic operas, or musical comedies; and when their performances are of standard merit they do excellent business, invariably playing to full houses. Most travelling companies include Napier in their tour, there being two large theatres there. It will be gathered from a perusal of this section that the capital of Hawke's Bay is not behindhand in musical matters, and the teachers of music resident there are people of high attainment. An annual subsidy is granted by the Napier Borough Council to the two local bands (one of which—the Battalion Band—is referred to in the Military section), and they give periodical concerts on the Marine Parade and in Clive Square.