GRANTS TO BANDS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 1035, 16 August 1911, Page 5

GRANTS TO BANDS.

CONSIDERED BY BOROUGH

COUNCiL.

A letter was received .from the secretary of the Masterton Municipal Brass Band, by the OBorough Council at i.ts meeting last- night, stating that the. Band was registered under the above, name, and was not entirely under the control of the ■Government, 'as had been represented to the Council, and that iit was availaible for public performances. .•'The- Mayor said he had interviewed Sergeant Major McC'iM'Stell. whose opinion corresponded ; with that of the secretary of the Baud. The Mayor explained that tho information had been .sought in order to ascertain whether the £lO on the estimates for the Municipal Band could be added to the grant- for the South Band.

Cr Ewington expressed himself in favour of doubling the grant for the South Band. He stated that the Band had rendered valuable services va the town. Cr Ewington did not think the Council was doing wrong in assisting a band to pass a critical point. He moved tbait the grant to the South Band be doubled. Or Prentice said that he would support the motion if it included doubling the grant for the Municipal Band also.

. Cr' Ewingt-on suggested the appointment of a body of Trustees, on which the Council should have a representative.

The Mayor did not think it would be wise for the Council to start fathering the Band. He was of opiir;m that one Band would be sufficient for Masterton, and he would like to see (both bands amalgamate.

Cr O'Leary favoured Cr Ewington'si motion.

Cr Hoar considered that the South Band ought to have presented a balance sheet, and he moved M:at they 'be asked to do so. Or Temple said he could not support the motion. He thought -t was something like putting a child on crurtch.es, and very weak ones at that. He agreed with the Mayor that the. Bands ought to amalgamate. The South Band con Id inly scrape up about seven or eight members. Or Temple said he was only prepared to support the grant of £lO, if the Band gave at lea.st one puiblic performance each month. Cr Donald suggested that a couferenoei between a committee ;Vom the Council and the Band might do good. Cr Ewington withdrew his motion in favour of Cr Hoar's motion to have a financial statement of ilie South Band placed before the Coa.icil. . He added that lie- to do all in his power to get assistan< e for the Band.

Cr Ca.ndy suggested that a- return of the Band's public performances, micht also be obtained. The Mayor said the Band was not in a position to play out, numerically or in strumentally.

Cr Hoar said he would support 'an oxtra grant if it wa's found to be necessary. The motion was carried.