SUNDAY MIX-UP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 September 1941, Page 4

SUNDAY MIX-UP

PUBLIC PRAYER SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS HOME GUARD & MUNICIPAL BAND. SOME CONFUSION OVER CHANGE IN PLANS. Owing to a misunderstanding or tc a lack of organisation, a somewhat regrettable incident occurred at yesterday morning’s parade of units to attend the public prayer service in Masterton. The Masterton Municipal Band was requested, it is stated, by the Home Guard to parade and lead the procession to the Masterton Park. In accordance with this request, it paraded at the Police Station corner at the time stipulated, but it was found that a procession of the Home Guard, headed by the Pipe Band, had already moved off. The band thereupon proceeded in the wake of the procession and attempted to join up in. Perry Street, but the procession, which had stopped for a few moments, again, moved off without the band. The bandsmen then proceeded to the Municipal Hall. Some confusion appears to have arisen by reason of the band not having been informed officially of any alteration in the original arrangements for the band to lead the procession tc the Park. The fact that the service at the Park had been cancelled owing to wet weather probably had some bearing on the misunderstanding that arose.

The Home Guard paraded at 9.15 and as there was three-quarters of an hour before the service began in the Municipal Hall, it was decided that the men should go for a route march to warm them up. This thej r did, headed b.y the Pipe Band.

It is stated that members of the Municipal Band, who only endeavoured to carry out the arrangements entered into on the previous day, strongly objected to being left out of the procession. when they had been specially invited to lead the originally-planned procession to the Park. The band, it is understood, subsequently decided to make representations regarding the matter to the Borough Council. Certain leaders of the Home Guard unit declare that there was no inten tion of casting any slight on the band and that they very much regret any ill-feeling that may have been caused.