CONTINENTAL SUNDAY?

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1968, 27 January 1914, Page 6

CONTINENTAL SUNDAY?

CHARGE FOR ARTILLERY BAND CONCERT'. T'lie question of whether the Artillery Band should ho allowed to charge for its concert on Athletic Park on Sunday, February 8, was discussed by the City Council last night. Tho Mayor moved that tho band should be allowed to take, up a collection, and Councillor M. F. Luckie proposed as an amendment that tho band should be allowed to charge Is. and 6d. admission fees. / "I don't seo why peoplo should not be called upon to pay for what they receive on &unday as well as on any other day," was Councillor T. C. A. Hisk>i)'s way 'of looking at tho matter. Ho said evil result of the present policy the effect 011 the Professional Orchestra. That body was supported by a few liberal citizens, but tho subscriptions'{received at the performances wero disgracefully small. Councillor R. A. Wright said? that there was a 'big principle at stake. If the council allowed a chargo for this affair, they would "open the door for charging for everything They might bring about a Continental Sunday in; Wellington, and he did not want to see that day come. By saying that if 110 charge was made at tho gate the peoplo would not give generously to tile collection taken up,, councillors announced 'that they would 'licit' trust "the; people'. "Trust the public, and you will got the park thronged with people," lie concluded., .

"Oil, yes," ndded . several councillors;. "tho best way to get it filled." Councillor J. E. Fitzgerald said that tho question was one of principle. Tho amendment was ono of tho most refreshing which had been beforo tho council for somo time. Tho Mayor,(Mr. J. P. Luke): You aro £oing to introduce a-very daugcrous precedent here if you carry this amendment. If a professional football team comes hero from over the water, you will havo it wanting to play 011 Sunday. Voices: Oh ! Oh! Councillor Fuller asked the Mayor to give them a fairer comparison of possibilities than that. (Tho amendment (giving permission to charge) was carried by ono vote. Tho division list is:—For tho amendment: Councillors Barber, Fitzgerald, Fletcher, <Frost, Fuller. Hislou, Luckie. Aeainst: Tli'o Mayor, Councillors Godber, M'Kenzie, Thompson,' Tregear, Weight.