THE BOROUGH BAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1132, 12 August 1913, Page 3

THE BOROUGH BAND.

GRANTED £lO BY COUNCIL.

At last night’s Council meeting, Cr Read moved, and Cr Freeman seconded, that the Council donate ,£io to the Foxton Band, provided that the Band take the Coronation Hall for their social. If not, the vote be reduced to ; also that the Band be requested to play outside the Hall every Saturday evening, if circumstances are favourable, and for which free passes will be given each member; also that uniforms be obiained as soon as possible. The mover, in speaking to the motion, said that he was present at the annual meeting of the Band when an offer in connection with playing outside Mr Hamer’s hall was made and rejectrh It was alterwards decided to hold a social to augment the funds of the Band, and Mr Hamer thereupon offered his hall free of charge for the purpose. The mover knew the Council could not let them have the Coronation Hall free of charge, but he thought that it they made a grant of with the stipulation that they should engage the Coronation Hall for the function, it would come to the same thing—that is, give them an extra as a donation instead of the free use of the hall. It was quite evident that it was necessary to encourage the Band in some way. Cr Freeman asked how long it was since the Council had donated anything to the Baud. The Mayor said he could not say, but grants had previously been made. Some eighteen months ago, when application had been made lor a donation, it was decided that instead of granting same as a donation, that the Band be paid for playing outside the Hall on twelve consecutive Saturday nights, and he believed this had been done.

Cr Coley said it was about three years since the last grant was made to the Band. The bandroom, at a cost of had been paid for out of the general account, so he did not think it could be said that the Band had not been fairly treated in the past. Cr Freeman said a band was an acquisition to the town, and should be encouraged. Cr Whibley said he favoured making the grant, but didn’t think it was fair to expect them to play ontside the Hall every Saturday night. Cr Speirs moved as an amendment and Cr Chrystall seconded, that the Council donate the sum of to the Borough Band as the Council now appreciate the efforts made to improve same and would request the band to play occasionally at the Town Hall. Cr Speirs said it was too stringent a condition to make that they should play outside the hall every Saturday night and if the Council adhered to it he did not think the Band could do other than reject it. The Council should be a little more liberal. Personally, he had always appreciated the band and considered it an acquisition to the town. The members were doing all they could to improve it and the Council should assist as far as possible. The Mayor said he intended suggesting something on similar lines to that moved by Cr Speirs. The band was now making good progress and assisting the Council’s entertainments in different ways and the Council should reciprocate as far as possible. He thought the time had arrived to make an annual grant of a sum to be decided upon. If the Council treated the band well they would treat the Council well in return.

Cr Henderson supported the amendment. They should encourage the band. It was improving and was assisting the Council in many ways. Cr Read asked permission to withdraw his motion in favour of the amendment and this was agreed to, and Cr Speirs’ motion was then put and , carried unanimously.

It was decided on the motion of Cr Read seconded by Cr Henderson, that two T lights be installed in the band room and a single light outside the front door.