SUPPORTING OUR BAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2239, 16 November 1907, Page 1

SUPPORTING OUR BAND.

SOME INTERESTING VIEWS. THE BOROUGH COUNCIL’S RESPONSIBILITY.

Considerable .interest Las been aroused by the discussion which, took place at the city band smoko concert on Wednesday last; and with a view to getting further on the question a “Times” reporter interviewed a gentleman who has watched the progress of tlio band for somo tone. “I am,” ho said, “thoroughly in accord with those speakers who era-" phasised .that the band is a public institution and should bo supported loyally by all citizens .as a boundon duty. Thero ,ean bo no doubt that .a band is a public institution, and I will go further and assert that it is an institution which is absolutely necessary. It is recognised that in the present state of civilisation parks and places of public recreation cannot bo done without; .and proceeding on this (premise I argue that it also becomes a duty to provide somo moans of (tempting people into the par Its and recreation grounds provided. This may seem a far-fetched argument, but it. is sound; and it has to ho remembered that it is only one of many. “That in overy -town .there should bo a band at tflie sorvice of tlio public can hardly seriously be gainsaid. A brass hand was designed more particularly for dispensing music to, large numbers of iieople in the open air. On almost every occasion when the whole of the peoulo of a town ■are gathered together' tlio services of a brass band are in demand; and the people very soon come ito regard •themselves as having a right to demand the presence of the band. “The public arguo that as tlio band is sujiported by ,tlie public, the publio have first call on its services, ■and tlio argument, as an argument, is irrefutable; but in the .present case it will not hold water, because as a matter of fact, tlio band is not supported to any great degree by tlio public. At present the public only support the band through tlio collection boxes, and that can hardly be expected to provide all (tlio necessary sinews of war. As a mattor of hard fact there are private individuals who, by reason of generous donations, are more entitled to the services of the band than are .the public generally. ' “You may well ask how tlio public are to bo made to contribute tlieir proper share towards tlio upkeeii of .the hand. At present it is possible for those desirous of helping tlio band to become honorary members on payment of half a guinea. This has not been taken advantage of to any extent, and it would appear as though the band will have to continue to exist on the spasmodic generosity of citizens. To my mind the only solution of the .present difficulty is to induce the Borough Council to give a yearly subsidy" totlio band. If £SO were given annually the band would have a good financial foundation, and in that"tlio money .was contributed by the public, the .band would be bound to appear for the iniblic benefit when desired. Eor tlie sum named the band should also be willing to give a weekly .free concert. At present concerts are given just when the band feels so inclined, and, however much they may he appreciated, it stands to reason that the concerts will ho jiatronised more largely if citizens know that they can be looked for on a certain day each week. Whether or not a subsidy is got from the Borough Council, a strong canvass should be made for honorary members, and to do this work nobody would be more suitable than .tlio citizens’ committee it is proposed ,to form.”