MUSIC WITHOUT HARMONY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2917, 1 August 1925, Page 4

MUSIC WITHOUT HARMONY

(Concluded from page 3.)

Mr. ,T. Xowth said that all members who were absent from practiee were liable to a fine of (hi per night and he would move that they all be fined

The Chairman: I enn’l take a moion. You’ll lie dealt with according o the rules.

Mr Xewth said that it appeared that there were two sides in the Band. A few met on the quiet Xo practices had boon held and it was evidently decided to lump all absentees out. and comply with the last rule. Mr. Colder: What last rule? Mr. Ebbett: What rule are we being tried on?

The Secretary: Buie 7. An animated discussion then arose as to where some rules had been.

The Chairman: The rules were rescinded. You said they were absolutely rotten. What do you want them for?

Mr. Ebbett : T paid 10/- lor ihose rules so that we would have some here, as you said you couldn’t do anything without them. T want them hack. The Secretary: The Band is inlying for them. Bide 7 was then read as follows : “Xo. 7. —Practiee Nights: The hand shall meet for rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, or such other nights as may be appointed, by a majority of musicians present at any meeting. The practice hours shall be 7.30 pan. to 0.30 p.m. Upon the sound of the baton strict silence must be observed, or a fine of Is. shall be imposed. Musicians absenting 1 hemselves from practice without leave or reasonable excuse shall be lined sixpence per night. Eor absenting themselves from six conseciuive practices, except in ease of .sickness or other unavoidable cause, .-.hall lie liable to a line of os. or dismissal." Mr. Kbbeff: The rules are no good. They are rescinded and we haven't got the new ones back from the Registrar yet. MOTION' OF XO COXJ'TDEXCE. Mr. Brooks then moved a motion of no confidence in the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Walls. ’flic Chairman said lie could not lake a motion but the mover put it to the meeting and it was carried.

The Chairman: This ends the meeting. Air. Knewstub: Will You explain all about these “non bona tide members?”

'fhe secretary said that a roll had been drawn up by the Chairman witnessed by the Bandmaster and himself'. The Chairman said that all bona fide members would he notified through the secretary to attend a meeting to deal with the roll and he (the secretary) would give (ho decisions arrived at.

Mr. Osborne: AN'i 11 you please read out the list of bona fide members ? Mr. Band: Was anybody fined for non attendance before last meeting: ('horns: Xo. AIY. Xowth: Tt’s funny this has cropped up since last meeting. Why wasn't a strict tally kept liefore. If tin' practices had been advertised sve would all have lieeti here. (Here! Here!) The. Chairman: That would have cost 5/- and the Band would have said they didn't authorise il. The list of bona tide members was then read as follows:—.J. AiteJiison, A. Aitebison, .J. (folder, W. Colder, (on leave), .J. Hofmann, V. Hofmann, D. W. Robertson and •J. Aladden. Mr. Xewth: Why are the oldest members cut out ?

NOT A .MAX IX THE MEETING. Pandemonium broke loose again at the conclusion of which the Chairman remarked that no common curtesy had been extended to llie Chair. There was not a. man in the meeting. The latter remark was the cause of several apologies being given by the Chairman. Mr. Osborne: How are these men bona litlo members? —By the roll. Since 23rd .June? Cries of “All Bluff." Mr. Ebbelt: This is a private G. and A. Band. Air Colder: 'fake a note of that,

Pi ess. Mr. Xewlh said llini tlie best thing to <|o would be io break up and give someone else a show, or have a public meeting'. It would be a good idea to give the money back lo thi' people. Mr. Colder: i would like to getsome of mine back. Mr. Osborne: Hold a general meeting. Mr. Walls: Arc live men going to rule us? Mr. Osborne: The public should know all about band matters. LIGHTS OUT. The Chairman: 1 must ask all of you to retire amPVe will have a meeting of the bona lide members. Chorus: We want a meeting too. The Bandmaster then turned out several lights in the building preparatory to locking up but ' these were again lit by Mr. Osborne. The "bona tide’’ members then retired. MEETING OF “NON BONA FIDE MEMBERS.” A meeting of “non bona tide” members of the band was then held. Present : Messrs. Knewstub, ‘Vails, Ileath, Brooks, Osborne, Eb-

belt, J., W. and B. Xewth, B. and C. Band, Barnett and Belly. Mr. Osborne, in moving that Mr. J. Xowth occupy tlie- chair, staled that there were thirteen bandsmen present and he did not think it right that they should lie governed by seven —five men and two boys. Every man presen i was a player. If such a state of affairs was going to exist it was lime to disperse. It was the intention of the “bona fide” members to bold a meeting to decide whether they (the “non bona fide members”) should be dismissed or not. The rules staled that in the event of the disbandonment of the band the “bona fide members,” can hold the instruments in trust until some suitable body came along or sell up everything and share the proceeds. Mr. Xewth was the oldest member of the band and lie bad much pleasure in moving that be occupy the Chair. Tie (the speaker) was very doubtful ii all the “bona fide" members could get a tune out of an instrument. Foxton public money was invested in those instruments and it was lime the public was given a lair deal. He strongly urged those present io look alter their own ini crests and also the interests of the public of Foxton in this matter. Mr. Barnett said that Mr. Osborne had exactly stated the ease. Tim public of Foxton had subscribed the money for a band and ihe\ should get a band. It was not fair to either bandsmen or the public that the band should he run by five members. Mr. Walls said they could take lhe roll for what il was worth. 1> had only been taken 'since Juno 23rd.

Air Osborne said be bad never heard a roll call yet.

DEPUTATION TO REGISTRAR

MV. Brooks said that from the lirst he had advocated discipline and strict attention to practice but had been ruled out of order and told that they must give the men a good time." He had resigned from ‘he position of Sergeant because of

ibis laxity. Mr. Xewth said ihai the. band ,vas represented in'the room. Mr. Band advoealed the calling ■il a public meeting. After flirt her discussion it was decided that. Messrs, Osborne a.nd ,Vails wait on the Registrsy and •dace the whole facts before him and have the matter cleared up.