The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-05-01
MUSIC IN SOUTH AFRICA.
Large Purchase OF Instruments
Chance for 4 American Pianos,

Recently Consul Snodgrass of Pre-
toria, was requested by a number of
American manufacturers of musical
instruments to give them information
concerning the trade in South Africa,
for the purpose of extending their
lines in competition with the United
Kingdom and Germany, the two ma
tions that appear to have made the
greatest advances during the past
three years in that market. He re-
piled:
While the war and droughts have
had bad effect on these colonies and
the purchase of luxuries for the home,
such as pianos and organs, $1,OOo,Ooo
to $1,5O0,000 is being spent annually
from the Cape to the Zambesi upon
musical instruments. The Transvaal
ical instruments. Where in 1902, $109,-
80 was thus spent. in 1903 the figures
increased to $176,l20. and in 1904
grand total of $31O,4s5 was expended
This indicates somewhat the perman-
ence of home making against the
prevalent theory that South Africa is
only a transient abiding place since
the discovery of rich minerals. The
Transvaal country purchased musical
goods in 1904 from Germany to the
value of $163,2S0, from England S92,015
worth and $39,59D from the United
States. a fe
Germany has fan outstripped all
competitors. having increased its sales
in musical instruments tenfold in two
years and leading the United King
dom, despite its preferential duty of
HI, oil no
portations. The United States in.
same period, but enjoys only one
France, though making small show
ing in the grand total, multiplied its
exports of 1903 by 20. Great Britain
portant musical trade in the whole of
South Africa, the proportion being
about 100000. Of this, one-fifth rep
Germany's share is about AZ per cent
and that of the United States only 8
per cent Great Britain and Germany
have the honors almost equally divid-
ed in the case of pianos, though Amer
lean pianos are gaining in public favor
and by observing the suggestions of
uCdlClo odlOo WILL 1AClCdoS. Inc OISdu
trade, however. has gone to America
In the first four months of 1904, 1,79O
organs, valued at $4,000, were ship
ped for Africa from the port of New
York
1.-THE South African trade in musical
instruments is expanding and the
American manufacturer should have
a larger proportion of it than he has
hitherto enjoyed. If he will follow
the advice given by dealers in Pre-
toria and Johannesburg he will find
that he can extend his sales They
say:
"U Study the climate and manu-
facture instruments that will stand
the humid atmosphere of Cape Colony
and the dry hat atmosphere of the
Northern colonies. (2) Make the in
struments strong and season the tim
Der to degree that it will withstand
the heat of the Tropics. 81 The
sounding boards of pianos should be
carefully studied, for unless they are
seasoned to perfection they will split
in short time. which of course de-
stroys the value of the piano. az The
same attention should be given to the
pegs, for they soon shrink and fire..
quent tuning is necessary. There is
field here for the high-priced as well
as the cheaper instruments. the latter :
being sold now upSn the monthly pay
ment system. which has only been in
vogue for the past year or so.'