THE BOROUGH BAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2077, 13 January 1920, Page 3

THE BOROUGH BAND.

DISCUSSED BY THE COUNCIL. At last night’s Council meeting a letter was read from Captain Goftin, applying for a grant to assist the Salvation Army Band. He pointed out that during Christmas week the hand [hayed in vtirious parts of the town, • and (he sum of £3l>. was subscribed by residents. This, of course, wouldf not go far in (he purchase of instruments, in fact*.£loo was now needed. If the Council - could see its way to make a grant the Band would agree to give periodical concerts in the Dark or at the Beach, Captain Got tin pointed out that in Eoilding, Gisborne, Wellington, and other towns the Councils subsidised the Army bands. « Cr. Bryant asked for information as to the position of the Borough Band as far as the Council was concerned. The Mayor said that the instruments, etc., were the property of the Council, amt the Band received an annual subsidy.

Cr. Bryant considered it was time the whole position was gone thoroughly into. The position as existed at present was not satisfactory. The Mayor said that on Bth May, 1914, the Council passed a resolution authorising an annual subsidy of £3O to the Band, on condition (hat the Band played two Saturday nights a month in front of the Town Hall and one Saturday night a month in Main Street. The position was certainly not satisfactory at present, and some fresh arrangement would have to be entered into with the Band. The public was not getting the music they' were entitled to. It was deputed to rescind the motion passed in 1914, and the Mayor then moved that (lie Council grant a subsidy to the Eoxton Municipal Band together with the rigid to use practice room and instruments on the following conditions and basis of payments: The Band to pipy not less than three Saturday evenings per month, giving a minimum thirty minutes performance he tween (>.45 and 7.45 o’clock, two ol the said performances to be rendered in front of the Town Hall, ami one in (he Main Street, The .Council agrees to pay the Band an amount not exceeding £7 10s ()d quarterly following a statement submitted by the Band secretary as to the number of performances given, charged at the rate of lbs 8d each. The Council will deduct the said sum of lbs 8d for any and every performance not given as required by the resolution. In speaking to. the motion, the Mayor said that it was an acceded fact that the Council was not gettingdhe performances they were entitled to from the Baud'. It was unfortunate that the Bandmaster laid been ill for some time, and for (hat reason he (the Mayor) had delayed dealing with this matter. Mr Colder was quite willing to do all he could to resuscitate the Band, and it was to be hoped that he would be Miceessfnl. The public bad to be considered in this matter. The Mayor said he would be sorry to see a private band subsidised when the Borough had a hand of its own. The resolution was based on payment for services rendered. Cr. Bryant considered the/better plan would be to appoint a committee to go fully into this matter and report next meeting. Cr. Rand said the Band had always been, willing to assist in connection with any public function.'He didn’t think it right that the Band should be asked to play in front of a hall —a private enterprise. (The Mayor: Oh, no! It is a municipal building.) The public seemed to lose sight of the fact.that bandsmen gave a lot of their time without any reward, in fact'they received more abuse fhan anything else. Cr Thompson said lie had a large amount of sympathy for the Band, but the present indefinite position could not be allowed to continue any longer. If the Band could he resuscitated and put on a proper footing it should he encouraged and assisted by the Council. Cr, Rand said it must not be forgotten than the Band 1 presented the Council with instruments, etc., to the value of at least £2OO. Cr. -Walker considered the motion was very fair. It would allow (fie Band to make another effort. The motion, on being put, was carried, Crs. Pearson, Hand, and

Hunt voting against it. In reference to'.Captain Goffin’s application, it was decided that same be deferred for the present. Cr. Hunt said there was no doubt the hoys under Captain Goffin were making progress. Cr, Bryant asked if it wmlld not be possible to assist the Salvation Army Band-by allowing them the use of some of the Borough instruments. . . - " The Mayor said he regretted that they’ could not make a grant to the Salvation Army Baud. He appreciated very much the music they were supplying. However, “charity begins at home,” and their own hand should get first consideration. Cr. Bryant' said the Salvation Army Baud was worthy of some assistance, and he considered the Council should make some grant ‘ to them. . Cr. Bryant said that the Borough Band had loaned the Salvation Army Band some of their instruments. Both hands had done what they could to help each other. He had heard that Captain Goffin would be leaving' Eoxton shortly, and if that were so the Salvation Army Band would be in the same position as the Borough Band for want of a bandmaster. The following Band Committee was set up: The Mayor and.Crs. Bryant and Hunt.