ROYAL ARTILLERY BAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 185, 4 February 1914, Page 5

ROYAL ARTILLERY BAND.

PROPOSED WELLINGTON CONCERT. FRICTION OVER .SABBATH CHARGES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington. Last Night. The Mayor of Wellington and tlie president of the Auckland Exhibition Executive continue to exchange telegrams with reference td the question' as to whether or not a charge should be made for admission to the concert to lie given on Sunday by the Royal Artillery Band. The Exhibition Executive say that permission was given by the Wellington City Council to make a charge for this concert, and, acting thereon, considerable expense lias been incurred in arranging tlie concert accordingly. Wellington people now wish to abolish the charge on the ground that .such would he a violation of the principles of Sunday observance, and the Exhibition Executive argues that the Council cannbt in fairness withdraw the permission al- . ready given when such has been already acted upon. The Wellington' City Council meet to reconsider the question' on Friday; \ Tlie Mayor of Wellington to-day 9ent a, telegram as follows:—-'Goodwill be- . tweeu Wellington and Auckland rests on i' undying regard for the mutual happiness and prosperity of the citizens of both. Think and act nationally. Your raising it is ridiculous. Tt was not referred to in my wire to the manager of the band as an expediency in assisting your project. You arj» using the eS- , teemed visiting bandsmen to violate our Sunday conditions. A large number of citizens are aiding me to frustrate your intention."

The "Exhibition president replied as follows:—''Your action In endeavoring to repudiate and set aside the concession granted, after due consideration, does not accord with the sentiments in your telegram, nor can one see the consistency in allowing band performances on Sunday, provided the public are permitted to attend on making a voluntary instead of a compulsory contribution. Sunday concerts by the band, with a fixed entrance charge, have beftn regularly held in Auckland and patronised and appreciated by thousands of the general public. Personally I do not care whether the band plays on Sunday or not. If they do play, I decidedly think the public should pay for the privilege of hearing them, especially as the whole proceeds will be devoted to the improvement of a public park."