THE MUNICIPAL BAND.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3103, 28 January 1909, Page 6

THE MUNICIPAL BAND.

IN AN UNSATISFACTORY POSITION. OPINIONS OF MEMBERS. INSUFFICIENT PUBLIC SUPPORT. The position of the Masterton Municipal Band at the present time is not as satisfactory as is desirao).either in the interests of the ;;anu itself or of the public of Masterton. who have in the past regarded the town's chief musical organisation very highly. The resignation of the Bandmaster, Mr G. Hutchison, and another leading member, were received on Monday evening, and an Age reporter yesterday, directed some inquiries into the cause of dissatisfaction known undoubtedly to exist among members, the cause of which has never been siven public expression to. A prominent official in the Band told the pressman that the primary cause of the present unsettled position of the Band was the lack of public support accorded to the organisation. The Band had a pretty heavy annual financial responsibility resting upon it to keep it in a state of efficiency, and it was not quite satisfied With its treatment at the hands of some public bodies. "Last year, for instance," said the official referred to, "we approached the Borough Council end asked them bo increase our annual su! sidy from £lO to £25. We pointed o t that in Wellington the Municipality subsidised six bands to the extent of £4O each, and that in proportion Masterton should easily afford £25. But," concluded the bandsman bitterly, "we were laughed at." Then it was ttated that not only does the Band give, in ordinary at least twenty free recitals per annum in the Park o.i Sunday alternoon, but it turns <|uc at innumerable public functions free, and earns several times over the subsidy it receives from the Council, though the Trust Lands Trust also makes the Band a small annual grant. The reporter found that little soreness existed among members over the fact that at the recent Aquatic Carnival its offer to play at a charge of £C was not entertained. On Anniversary Day last year the Band gave its services free all day, and at the evening display, and it is stated that not even a vote of thanks was accorded to the members. It was then thought that if the Band charged £lO, the minimum fee allowed to be taken by the rules of the North Island Brass Bands Association, and offered to refund £5 as a donation, the Carnival Committee would in fairness give the Band the privilege, but this was not done. It is regrettable to find that the strength of the Band haß in a few months fallen from about 26 members to under 20. The Band has for years been a credit to the town, and has played at various contests with considerable success. The want of a competent conductor has been a serious handicap for some time past, and this has had a more or less demoralising effect on the members. Just now the Band is negotiating for a highly qualified musician for the post, but a member remarked, "how can we engage a good man when we cannot pay him." It is uncertain even whether the person sought after will come at all, as he is expected to arrive from India, and it is not known if he has left there yet. It is to be hoped that the public will not let the Band dissolve through what may prove a few temporary difficulties. As one member suggested the strengthening of its organising forces might be a good move, and if the public were approached in a systematic manner the Band would find that there was anything but a general desire to see its downfall. It is now about, two months since the Band gave a public performance.