CITIZENS' BAND

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 49, 15 July 1914, Page 4

CITIZENS' BAND

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE.

SOME BREEZY PASSAGES.

At a meeting of the committee of the Citizens' Band last night there were present: Messrs G. W. Browne (chairman), G. Tabor, E. 11. Carter, A. E. .Sykes, F. Coleman, E. Sole and J. J. Cummins. Some discussion arose on the motion to liU the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. W. Dilieen, whu had left the district.

Several nominations were received, and a passage of arms took place between Mr. Sole and Mr. Lister as to a remark of Mr. Sole's about some people being "pushed into positions.", Mr. Cummins: I, should like to ask, Mr. Chairman, if this committee has any right The chairman: I cannot allow you, as a paid servant of this committee, to question our rights. Objection to this view was raised by the representatives of tile Band, and it was announced 'by the secretary that Mr. Cummins had a vote 011 the committee.

Mr. Cummins then proceeded to ques tion the right of the committee to ap< point another member without refer enco to the town.

Tins objection wag over-ruled, and after a ballot, the Ven. Archdeacon Evans was elected to fill the vacancy. RESIGNATION ENFORCED, <•

A letter was then read from Mr. A. Pearcc, a former representative of the Baud on the Citizens' Committee, stating that because he had voted lor the dismissal of the bandmaster at the previous meeting, the Band had requested him to send in his resignation.

The chairman: Is it true that Mr, Pearce had no alternative 'but to resign?

Mr. Coleman answered in the affirmative. As Mr. Pearce had voted against the wishes of the Band, the Band had no ot'hcr course to follow. •'

The chairman; Surely you allowed him a free vote?

Members of the Band explained that they lookocl on Mr. Pearce as a delegate, with a right of free speech, but with an obligation to vote as t'he Band wished.

General disapproval was expressed l>y members other than representatives of the Band, and the chairman remarked that it was a wonder the Band could get, anyone to take the position. Mr. Lister moved that the resignation be accepted "with regret. It was a pity that any member of tfhe committee should be denied freedom. Mr. Pearce, he said, had been ail exceptionally good man. Mr. Brooks interrupted Mr. Lister. Mr. Lister: I am addressing the «hair now. Mr. Brooks: Well, you stick to facts. Mr. Lister: I am doing bo. The chairman called the meeting to order, and after further lively discussion the motion was carried, and Mr. Brooks was elected to fill the vacancy as the Band's representative. APPOINTING TRUSTEES.

Further brief but explosive diseussion occurred as to the appointment of trustees, the chairman moving that a third trustee be added, and Mr. Cummins demanding a notice of motion. Eventually Messrs W. Ambury, E. Coleman and Thos. Avery were appointed trustees. THE BAND'S ATTITUDE.

The secretary then read a resolution from the Band to the effect that that hotly refused to acknowledge the right of the Citizens' Committee to interfere witii its conductor, and was determined to continue under 'Mi\ Cummins.

Mr. Tabor then asked a few questions. At the time that the citizens took over the Band, what was the Band's financial position? The secretary: There was a distress warrant against their property. If the Band were in such a position, had the committee done anything towards promoting its welfare 1 Why bad it been stated .that the committee had no control over the Band? How many on the committee represented the Band, and 3iow many the citizens? The secretary said there were eight citizens and five bandsmen. Mr. Brooks: The chairman is president of tihe Band.

The ehairman: No, of the Committee.

Mr. Brooks: Then you'd better Tesign your position. The chairman, answering Mr. Tabor, said that the Band's liabilities in debts contracted wfoen the Citizens' Committee took control were £175, besides debts on the instruments. Mr. Tabor asked if the-delegates from the Band thought that the Band was bow in a better position. Mr. Coleman acknowledged the Band's indebtedness to the citizens.

Mr. Cummins asked the position of the management fund.

The secretary : £l2 in hand. ■Mr. Cummins said that though there was £IOIXI fm trust, the management funds were not much better off. The £IOOO 'was raised for instruments and uniforms. He could throw some light on the subject if lie chose. The secretary: Then let us have the light, Mr. Cummins! I am surprised to hear the Band, and especially the bandmaster, talk like this, when the townspeople have worked so hard and dom. so much for the Band. The money was raised for the Band, not for instruments alone. lam surprised that you should belittle tlu; work of the committee, and the resolution from_ the Band is a gross insult to the committee. Mr. Brooks rejoined that the Band was not belittling what had been done for it, but objected to interference by a committee which knew nothing about

musk. Mr. Coulthard announced that tli" Band intended to play under Mr. Cmi:-. Other lepresentatives of the Band spoke on similar lines. The c'hairman said that- as the fian • had renounced the control of the com mittee, the committee must protect it. self. The committee looked on the ti;iu<b master as its servant. He moved the Band lie informed that the »-rvi.\--i of the bandmaster will be dispensed wit'i on July 17. and that the committee will mot be liable for aw arrangements the Band may make with him. nor for an* debts contracted by tilie Band in the. name of the committee. The band could tarry on in their own way if they liked, and until the committee required the instruments the Band could probably haTe the use of them for the. cost of their insurance. Thety were vested n> the trustees, however, and did not belong to the Band. Mv. Coultiiavd defended 'Mr. Cummins as the 'best conductor the Band had had. Had anyone seen Mr. Cummins' work with the recruits? The secretary said they were all missing the point. He made no reflection on Mr. Cummins, but the town wanted a better man. They wanted the. best man they could get. Mr. Brooks said the matter must laid before the Band. . I Representatives of the Band eomplam-

cd that the Band had not been consulted as to the conductor.

The motion was carried, none of the Band's representatives recording a rote.

NO INSTRUMENTS YET.

The stcre.ury then moved in accordance with notice of motion, that the following resolution be rescinded: —"That tenders be invited immediately for a set of silver-plated instruments, and that the agents of Messrs Boosey, Benson, Hawket, and llighain be requested to submit detailed prices, the set to comprise 27 instruments."

A lengthy discussion then ensued, representatives of the Band protesting against the motion.

Mr. Ellis said that it was absurd to think of buying instruments in the present cireumotances.

Eventually the atmosphere cleared, and after a lengthy discussion on the rival merits of military and brass bands, the motion was curried.