THE COUNCIL AND THE BAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2177, 16 September 1920, Page 2

THE COUNCIL AND THE BAND.

DISPUTE STILL UNSETTLED. The dispute between the Borough Council and the Borough Band, which has now been dragging on for some months, is still unsettled. At the August meeting, of the Council it was decided that the order for the return of the instruments and oilier properly be enforced. In accordance with the Council’s decision, the Town Clerk wrote to the secretary of (he Band on August lllh as follows :

“The Council has decided to enforce the request for the return of the instruments. Although linn in their altitude, Hit? Council do not wish to unduly harass the Baud, and as the request for the return of the instruments is quite within the Council’s right, I think 1 am right in saying that when the instruments are returned, and Councillors have satisfied themselves thereon, that a new agreement may lie arrived at. At least, that J think is the present intention of the Council, and 1 hope the members of your Committee will agree.’’

To this tiie secretary of the Band sent the following reply, dated August Kith: —“1 am in receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, relative to hand instruments, and in reply beg to inform your Council that my Band has no intention of reluming' the instruments, as suggested hy your Council, because the instruments are not the property of the Council. They are (he properly of the Band! The Band consider this sufficient for your Council, and failing such the Band invites your Council to take proceedings for the recovery of the hand instruments, and so settle a dispute which will he a, relief to both parlies. In the latter part of your letter, sir, you are expressing your own persona! opinions. I must ask you to reft am from so doing. My Band have no intimations of your opinions from your Council, and do not. ask ior any suggestions until the dispute is settled, so in future will thank vou to communicate to me only as directed hy your Council.

On August' 20lh the Town Clerk wrote ns follows“lvindK lei me have at your earliest eonvenienee a co|)V of tho resolution showing how the letter from the Council to the Band, to which you replied on the Kith instant, was dealt with. In ease you are not (dear as to wlnu the Council will require, it is (his: A copy of the resolution as it appears in your Committee minute hook, referring to my letter to you of the 11th instant, is required.” This brought forth the Billowing reply, dated August 2(ith; “In reply to vours of the 20th instant, demanding the Band's resolution loi authority of my letter of tin* Kith instant, 1 have to frankly admit that my views were expressed without authority, just in the same way as 1 know some of yours were expressed unaut-horitalively, while at the same time informing me that it the Council did not approve of your methods they could get somebody else. Since receiving your pressure for the resolution, I have convened a Band meeting, at which your three letters (duly 20th, August llth and 20lh) were dealt with, and 1 am now pleased to forward to you the resolution passed by my baud, which 1 append in full: —“Moved by the bandmaster (Mr d. Golder), and seconded by the Chairman (Mr J. Xewlh) : That while slightly disapproving of our secretary s premature reply, unaulhoritatively given. to communications from the Council, the bandsmen, by resolution required of them, express, upon careful review, no desire to enter into a further agreement with the present. Council, and it is therefore unnecessary that we should comply with the Council’s request. If, however, it is satisfactorily proved that the properties of the Band are indeed the property of the Council, then they will be handed over without demur. Even so, we would not guarantee to use them under the .jurisdiction of the present Council. We desire placed on record our endorsement of Civ Baud's stated fact that the bandsmen have done more (much more nobler work, we are sure) than they were called upon to do under the agreement, and we wonder why some councillors have spoken otherwise,” Confirmed August 24th, 1920. Now, I trust the above resolution moved by my Band’s 'principals, will satisfy the Town Clerk, and cheek the personal latitude he exercises towards me on this important matter.” The above letters were read at Monday night’s Council meeting, and it was decided that the Bandmaster (Mr J. Golder) and Chairman of Committee (Mr J. Xewth) be invited to attend the next monthly meeting of the Council to discuss matters and endeavour to come to some amicable settlement of the dispute. ______-