THE CITIZENS' BAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 25, 19 June 1914, Page 4

THE CITIZENS' BAND.

DISSATISFACTION EX l-KDwSJSD.

a change of i\am&

Some important proposa":» were dis-* cu.scd at a meeting of the Citizens' Committee of the XI. ii.ind on Wednesday night. \t h;is decided, among other tilings, to chunge Ue name pf tiie Band to ttait of l.:ie Citizens' Baud, to eall (tpp .cation-, for itiu position'of conductor at a 'higher salary, and to call tenders for a new set of instruui'dit*. There were present: Messrs'. ti W. linowne (in the cluiirj. 1,, {.'alter, It. Ellis (secretary), and I . .Sole (all elected by the citizens); W. Ouultharj, F. Coleman and A. Pearvc i representatives of the band). Apologies were mr,de made for the absence of Messrs. U. Tabor and \\. Dineen.

" CONCEKMXG TUB CONDUCTOR. In accordance with notice, of motion, Mr. E. Ellis moved I :'—"That applications be invited for the position of conductor of the band at a salary of £IOO per annum, rising by annual increments of £lO per annum until a maximum salary of £l3O is reached. And that the present conductor be requested to tender h-ia resignation, the same to take effect aj from the l'th ultimo."'

In speaking to tllie motion, Mr. Ellis said that he was not actuated by any personal feelings wnotevcr —liel was acting purely as n. citizen. He thougjht the. baud would foe much improved if they liacJ a new conductor, and this could be afforded even if tin- salary was a little 'higher than at present. The Chairman, in .seeojidinfr the motion, expressed a desire to -act only in the public interest. 'Willi a new conductor, possible one of more ability, more men would join and help the band along. Ho felt he i|hould make these remarks, though he would have ferred the movement to come through tho hand itself. Mr. Coleman said that \\licn the matter came up some months ago, he thought it was decided to leave things aa they wore until the bandsmen themselves were dissatisfied. He pointed out that the bandsmen were not dissatisfied with the conductor. Considerable discussion endued, i n which Messrs. Oolenian. Sole and Coulthard maintained that there was- no cause for complaint. A division was then taken on t'he motion, which was carried by four votes to three. Messrs Carter. Ellis, Pearce and the chairman voted for the motion, and Messrs. Sole, Ooulthurd and Coleman against. Mr. Coleman said he had refrained before from mying thai at least half the band would resign If the conductor resigned. Regret wag expressed at this, but it was thought that the proper .step was being taken.

NO LONGER WANTED. Captain M. IFDoninU, adjutant, wrote asking fot 25 leather waist belts to 1)0 handed in to Major Fletcher, also complete uniforms of those men over tile i\ge for compulsory training. Major FletcJher would -give a reoeijit for same. Tho officer'commanding 'lie rivriment recognised tlmt it was a great hiird.-hip for I.l*l'. who were married an;! had'a family to support, to go into camp every year, and the majority of the Uth Regimental IV,nd were men in that position and had rendered good and faithful service, lie had accordingly decided at present, that the regiment, rather than crru-"' 'hardship to old members, would <ln wit.liout u ban;!. Ho returned thank* for the good services rendered.

The Chairman said the letter was a quiet way«f saying that the hand was no longer required as a regimental hand. Me thought it. letter to sever the hand's connection ;it once with, the regiment, and to .become purely nnd simply a citizen's hand. The sum, of £2.5 was at present owimr hy the Defence. Department as subsidy, and generally, speaking the fimmtil i-H'.'-idy of £3O paid by the department was not the success hoped for, ' ; was decided that the name of the band he in future "The Citizens Band." BOROUGH pouxcrL ruorosAts. The next n;atto r was the discussion of the proposal's decided on by the Borough Council. These were, briefly, that £2l) he given for twenty-four concerts, and that the council have three representatives on the Citizens' Committee. The Chairman said the amount was anything but liberal, working out to about 9d per man for two hours. Mr. Coleman' said he believed the tally was 10d for two men for one hour.

The Chairman reminded the meeting that where previously seven concerts were given for £2O, now twenty-four concerts were demanded and only the samo money offered. It was decided that the committee was unable to comply with the terms of the offer. It would be utterly impossible to give twenty-four concerts yearly. It was decided to invite prices for a fiil; set of twenty-seven silver-plated instruments from Messrs. Besson, Boosey. llighnm nnd TTawkes.