THE BANDMASTER WIELDS HIS BATON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1057, 17 October 1911, Page 3

THE BANDMASTER WIELDS HIS BATON.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —When I first launched out to the world of responsibility and business, some scribe gave advice to steer clear of all municipal and political controversy if I sought to prosper in the craft nature has so kindly fitted me for. But time proves all things, and has proved the scribe’s advice as a wee bit too feathery to my observation, caution, and growing ambition. So much so that I am now unwilling to nourish it in its strict exactitude for, in a parallel, 1 observe the world loves to trade with and to encourage the earnest “ young blood ’’ ot a town who is fearless to plead his cause and defend his rights, when councillors or politicians have secured his vote under the glaring lie of false pretences. In the opinion of my observation, he is a councillor ot very poor and mean fabric indeed who is unable to give an immediate answer to a ratepayer, gracefully, without offence, and without being offended. And 1 cannot believe citizens are so feeble-minded as to withdraw business because disagreeing upon some social topic, as my zealous friend the scribe would have me believe. With this preliminary, Mr Editor, I, as a ratepayer, musician, business man and “young blood” of Foxton, demand a public answer from public men to the 12 questions which appear at the foot of this letter of just complaint. Though your journal laudably portrays the glowing appreciation —and all that —of the forthcoming municipal entertainments, general dissatisfaction is being expressed by the many. I s peak of an institution which is nut the ownership of a few Councillors, but an institution belonging to the ratepayers generally, “ The Ratepayers Baud,” a body ui musicians who sacrifice time and wages to assist in charitable and church causes, willing men, desirable and esteemed by the

though....l . auow the value of them. Bee these diligent musicians at their work in me painfullylooking practice room, it would strike one with awe and pity that studious men like these are thought by the Council as not deserving of the same comforture as they—that consideration and respect which supporters would fain have their Band enjoy. I complain of the ingratitude hurled by the Council in a manner that shocks with horror those fine sensibilities which musicians possess. Now, Mr Fditor, a letter of feasible requests was submitted to the Council, and the Baud are puzzled at the decision passed at their meeting. The baud’s letter, strange to say, has been withheld Irom publication amongst the borough doings. The perusal ot which those ratepayers are entitled to, who are loyal to the Baud which belongs to them, and have the right to see what is needed by them. In the Borough Council’s report submitted for our perusal, it would appear that censure was accorded for “paucity of information ” contained iu a letter from the hall coutractor. Now, is it not lair to assume that similar censure be passed ou our Councillors tor “paucity of information ” submitted to the band’s supporters who have the right to know what they are iu need of. And, again, is it not fair to assume that other information of like utitility to the ratepayers have from lime to lime been omitted. Here is the band’s letter: —“Foxton, October yth., 1911, His Woisiiip me Mayor and Borough Councillors. Gentlemen, I have the honour to submit for your kind consideration a few requests ou behalt of the Borough Baud. The Band asks if their complimentary tickets to the Muuicipal Concert would admit a lady companion, and that iu view of the expected rush ot visitors, and the lateness of the hour when the baud are are free to enter, we beg the privilege of reserved seats iu the dress circle. 1 will have a baud of 15 or 16 performers, which will mean accommodation necessary for 30 or 32 persons. Also the Band again pleads to have the gas installed iu the practice room, and would be grateful ot the annual subsidy due last June. Thanking you in anticipation. 1 have the honour to remain, your humble servant, John Golder, Bandmaster, Municipal Baud.” Now, Mr Editor, with regard to the much talked of complimentaries. The Councillors know how to procure comfort iu some better part of the building. But 16 baudsmeu, after completing a thankless duty, have to be satisfied with the least available space iu the pit, totally eclipsed by early comers. In regard to request No. 2. The Gas, —Well, the sound advice of the Council to the people with regard to its pleasing advantage over the dirty, dim, kerosene wick, quite justifies the band’s desire for this comfort. If the gas is of any use at all, let the ratepayers baud have it 100. The Council have it, and tell us it is good, so what is good for the goose is good tor the gander. It is amateur and imprudent policy to allow the Drama Club the free use and wholesale squander of the ratepayers gas, and their baud to go without, i mean no harm to my drama friends, indeed, 1 am an interested member. But echo answers, why such strange policy ? It might be interesting to those aspirants wuo seek a place iu the Council to know that there are seven ratepayers m the baud, ru regard to the subsidy request. Well, the ratepayer? baud ate entitled to what is due to them, before money is asked to be squan-

dered ou notions to decorate firebells. Now, Mr Editor, is it worthy of mention that the bandsmen have bought over worth of instruments and accessories, investing them into the property of the borough, and surely the ratepayers will not tolerate such base ingratitude. You have a good baud, but the city fathers do not know how to look after it, and some day it may be missed by those functions and charities who know the value of it. The Council are pleased to tell the ratepayers that their band have been engaged for the picture show, but such is not the case, they certainly have been sought, but must decline, for what society of musicians would humble themselves to the vice of mean ingratitude. A perusal ol the advertised Municipal concert programme, which has been hurriedly removed from us, convinces me that our local talent are considered ot undervalue by the Councillors who drew up the programme. Hence I conclude that concerts by local talent are not deserving of some people’s patronage, lint, Mr Editor, my appreciation of local vocalists is far otherwise. But, oh, how inexperienced are the Council in concert organising. Could they not forsee the boycott that compelled them to hurriedly remove the glowing programme of imported talent ? Eocal enthusiasts have soon shattered the shaky foundations ot the municipal committee, now telephoning and scamping about pressing two or three irate vocalists to sing, striving to influence them against their wish merely to hide a “ multitude of sins.” But, oh, what a terrible

mess, pouring oil on the wrath ot the remaining forsaken, who cannot be asked for want ot programme space, and this wrath stimulated by sympathising relatives and mends. Foolish to tamper with the completed programme. Far better to politely put up with the just ire of the forsaken “not wauteds.” I hope the Council will not be ashamed to give the musical fraternity the genuine reason of this strange desire for outside talent. This programme messing, so feebly allowed, and influenced by outside interference of a lew, manilests weakness ot council jurisprudence. This dodging about ot hurried reform merely to smooth a few disappointed ones, makes our councillors look like municipal moving targets. I am afraid No. r eutertatnmeut is being looked forward to as a means of liquidating any deficiency of the ball. But the poor at the ball get no food due them from the proceeds of entertainment No. i. I think it a fair thing for the ratepayers to knock the “ flare up ” ball on the head, for it is no use to us. I compare it to a “ wake ” or huge social “ flare-up.” It is time all this rashness of councillors was stopped, and I say it lies in the budding breast of youth to stop it. If the Council had striven to grasp the knack of running entertainments on keen business paying lines after the manner of the successlul St. Mary's affairs, pleasing and revenue producing, I would think better of them. Now, Mr Fditor, I must comment on the absurdity of going to Palmerston lor music, etc. Now, the Council in a measure indirectly advise Foxtouiaus that Palmerston must be an ideal place wherein to trade. “ We get precisely what we want there; our musicians are from there, we try hard to purchase our social provisions from there, we get a mau to judge our fancy dresses from there, and behold our vocalists from there.” Everything therefore must be ol the first water in Palmerston. But such I know is not the case. Now, Mr Fditor, that I am as well qualified as my cornetist friend from Palmerston to play iuside the hall the Council must freely admit, and it does seem unreasonable to expect me to play outside for a mere is ticket, and the hired cornetist to get good pay. I play for nothing, and when there is something to be made out of it, this ratepayer has to look on. I am asked to favour the proposal to build a costly theatre and supper room, and then enjoy the lining of Palmerston folk to show us how to use them. Far better had the Council run the entertainment on such business lines as would ieduce lavish expenditure on outside fancies, and thus adjust the price ot admission to suit all those citizens whom the Council would have us believe are embodied in their “democratic welcome.” Councillors have pleaded the citizens’ vote by their display in ostentatious language and confident boast ot levelheadedness to administer affairs tor the betterment of the people of Foxton and the various institutions which make a town what it is. But these puffed promises, so rash and quickly forgotten, have proved their worth to be too amusing and absurd. I give now the few questions I desire answered for future reference from those gentlemen whom my vote has uelped to place in power. (r) Why will the Council not pay the “ratepayers’ baud” their small annual subsidy of due last June? (2) Why will they not give the bandsmen the benefit of the gas light ? fCouucillors readily cry down and preach oblivion to the dirty, dim kerosene wick, not tolerated by them.) (3) Why do they allow the free and elaborate consumption ot gas to the drama iolk, who think better than to iu- \ est their slock ia the possession of the borough ? (4) Why have they gone to Palmerston for their musicians and concert items? (5) How much are these musicians and performers to cost, including expenses if defrayed by Foxton ? (6) Could they honestly expect me to give my services for

a mere is ticket, when a hired cornetist gets good pay—(l, not being a salaried officer of the band), and what is wrong with our local qualified pianist? (7) Why will they not grant bandsmen’s wives or companions admission on their ticket, and for the bandsmen’s toil and lateness to enter allow them some comfortable place in reserve ? (8) Are any complimentary tickets to be issued in connection with either of the entertainments ? If so, how many do you anticipate having, and to whom do the coraplimeutaries go ? (9) Why did they seek catering in Palmerston,? (10) Why do they get a man from Palmerston to judge the best dressed dancer ? Does he come for love of office, defraying all costs ? II not, what are his charges and expenses? (11) Why did they not get their entertainment tickets and programmes printed in Palmerston also ? (12) Why do they purchase the borough surfaceman’s gum boots in Wellington instead of locally, Foxton having (several) boot stores? Thanking you for your gratuitous space, —I am,etc., J. GORDER.