CITY BAND AND HOSPITAL SOCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2165, 22 August 1907, Page 1

CITY BAND AND HOSPITAL SOCIAL.

[To the Editor.]

Sir, —I bog your permission to take up a little of your valuable space in an endeavor to place before tlie public the correct position of the City Band regarding the decision of the Hospital Social Committee to accept the services of Mr. McKellop’s private combination to supply the music at the

forthcoming Hospital Social. Before touching our actual position I wish to ask you, Mr. Editor, “Was this a committee meeting or just a little talk among a few committee men?” Another question, Sir, “What number forms a quorum at a 11 ospita 1 Social Committee meeting, when tlio actual number on that committee totals about 40?” I notice last night the business was commenced with five present, two others being elected as members of the committee that evening. If five forms a quorum out of forty, then my opinion is, Mr. Editor, that a Hospital Social Committee meeting is nothing more than a farce, and a very tame one at that. Now Sir, another point to consider,

‘Was there not a musical committee \>rmed with the purpose of arrange-

ing for the music at the social?” I believe there was, and if so, is not the action of the committee last evening in taking the musical committee’s work out of their hands, somewhatunbusinesslike? I maintain it was, and consider their course, when business in connection with the music cropped up, was to have referred it to the committee elected for that purpose.

Now, Sir, in regard to the CityBand’s position. I wish it to be fully understood by every person in Poverty Bay that the band were not asked to play at this year’s social. Mr. Editor, the reason for this behaviour of the committee is easily explained when we review the positions occupied by some of the committeemen present at last night’s meeting. Three of them are directly interested in Mr. McKellop’s combination, and of these, two aro ex-members of the City Band. Now, Sir, is this fair treatment to the band who have ever since the Hospital Socials started given their services towards the success of the function? and on one or two occasions: taken the two night’s playing, which,: as Mr. Little remarked, is hard work indeed.

I wish to point out, Mr. Editor, that it is not the fact of not playing at the social that I consider unfair but for the very ungentlemanly and discourteous manner in which the committee did its work. The fact of not playing at the social will,“I am assured, be appreciated by our boys, ns it will enable them to attend and enjoy themselves-, as they have been; unable to do -so at any of the previous socials, hut, Sir, do you think that it: would have shown common courtesy: on the part of tlie committee to havoj asked the Town Band, who liavej served them so long, before decidingj to accept the services of a scratch j professional combination ? In conclusion, Mr. Editor, I beg to; state that in writing this explanation! I do not ask for any consideration onj the part of the committee, as our: members will be quite satisfied so long! as the public arc made aware of the: real facts of the position as above.: "Wisliing tlie social ©very success, i! am, otto., A. M. PICKFORD, Hon. Sec. Gisborne City Band. August 20th.