SUNDAY CONCERTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1526, 23 August 1912, Page 2

SUNDAY CONCERTS.

SHOULD SEATS BE RESERVED? CITY COUNCIL OBJECTS. A deputation representing the Wellington Professional Orchestra waited upon the City Council at its meeting last evening with regard to the difficulty whieh-has lately arisen with regard to the right oi the orchestra to reserve a portion, cf the seating accommodation at the Townllalt at its Sunday conccrts. The Hon. A. L. ilerdman. (Minister for Justice) and the Hon. F. -M. B. Fisher (Minister for .Marine;, in their official capacities as Parliamentary representatives of city constituencies, acted as spokesmen for the deputation. .Mr. He.rdman said that the orchestra was a deserving institution, and was doing valuable work ill providing high-class music for the public at their tree Sunday evening concerts in the Town Hall. All that was desired was the privilege of reserving a section of 300 seats for the wives and friends of tho members of the orchestra, and for those of the public who desired to attend tho concert after church, and who were nnable to get along in time to secure a seat. He had glanced at the by-law governing the position, ami ventured to believe that it was within the authority of the council to grant this request. Tho receipts from these concerts consisted of voluntary contributions from their audience?, and subscriptions from their supporters. This income averaged about 3d., per head of audiences. Mr. Fisher said that the council had already rcoognised the value to the city of encouraging good music by extending financial support to bands. It would be a simple courtesy to the orchestra to extend to its members, in return for their efforts in promoting high-class concerts for the edification cf the public, concerts which constituted a better and purer inspiration than many other institutions. All that was asked was that tho seats might bo reserved till 8.15 p.m. The concerts commenced at 8.30. In reply, the Mayor said that in restricting the orchestra from reserving the seats, the town clerk had merely carried out his duty. Tim council had at.no time given authority fur such a privilege, which, if granted, would have to bo made a general concession to all Sunday concerts. Tho by-law on this point provided that for such concerts there should be no charge for admission, or for tho occupation of any seats, whether reserved or otherwise. lie understood that tickets entitling holders to these reserved scats were issued to people. Tho deputation then withdrew, and the matter was subsequently debated on the following recommendation, submitted by the By-laws Committee:— "That they have considered the question of the protest of the Wellington Ministers' Association with reference to Sunday concerts, and they have to recommend the council to grant permission to bold Sunday concerts only on the condition that tho promoters of such concerts do not reserve seats." Councillor Cohen moved as an amendment that- all the words after "concerts'" be struck out. This amendment lapsed for want of a seconder. Councillor Fletcher then moved that tho same words be struck out and tho following words added"Under tho present conditions, as per by-law, and that tho number of reserved scats at any one concert do not exceed 300." In support of this amendment, Councillor Fletcher said that the people for whom tho seats were reserved were friends of tho society, and were practically responsible for the excellent music provided on Sunday evenings. Personally, he could not see any ditferenco between occupying a pew in a church which was paid for and giving a small donation to have a seat reserved at one of these concerts. Supposing that this request were not granted, and the society were compelled .to abandon its concerts, would the three thousand people who usually attended tfioin be ' any better for ' being forced to walk tho streets. This was an a>:o when we should look at these things from a. broad-minded point of view. Ho hoped that the request would bo granted, and that the Wellington Professional Orchestra would bo allowed to continue their concerts. Councillor Fitzgerald seconded the. amendment. The deputation that had been before them that night made a strong point of the fact that they were not asking for any fee. All they wanted was that the council should grant per allusion to tho Wellington Professional Orchestra to provide accommodation for their friends, who might be attending clinr:h earlier in the evening. If the orohoitra really intended to do what was recommended by the deputation, Councillor Fitzgerald' thought it was a thing 'hat should commend itself to tho council. Councillor Atkinson said it had teen most distinctly stated that somo of the scats, had been paid tor. Whatever Couiicilloi - Fletcher's phraso about "by-'aw" meant, there was no doubt about !ho i breach of the by-law if the amendment were carried. If councillors thought that this particular form of entertainment was so excellent that it ought to be encouraged, then let them amend the by-law first. Councillor ShirtelifTc could not support the amendment. He was quite convinced that seats were reserved in consideration of somo donation or subscription paid. Tho spirit of tho by-law would be broken if ilicy passed the amendment. With all due respect to the Mayor, he considered the amendment was really out ot' order. Councillor Smith and Councillor Trevor we+e also against tho amendment. Councillor M'lCeiizio considered that tho various speakers had failed to prove that any seats were paid for. If it were wrong for • these people to reservo seats, it ,was wrong for the council to charge a fee for tho Town Ilall on .Sunday night. The position was exactly tho same. Councillor Cameron also in support of the amendment, as did Councillor Cohen. The A fay or said that, while ho wanted to seo these concerts maintained because of the excellent music, ho thought tho council would 1» well advised not to pnss the amendment. If they wanted to deal with the matter, they ought to deal with tiie by-law first. Councillor Fletcher then offered to withdraw tho amendment, but objection was raised, and it was decided to taku a vote. The-amendment was lost by 5 to 7. YJis Ayes were: Councillors Cameron, Cohen. Fitzgerald, Fletcher, and M'Kenzie. Ino Noes were: The Mayor, Councillors Atkinson, Barber, Godber; Shirtcliffe, Smith and Trevor.