TIMARU BAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 188, 23 May 1938, Page 4

TIMARU BAND.

THE CONDUCTOR TO LEAVE. LACK OF CO-OPERATION. (Special to the “Guardian.”) TIMARU, This Day. The dissension which has been rife in the ranks of the Timani Municipal Band for some time came to a head last Thursday evening when, at a meeting of the personnel called by the Control Board, * the bandsmen by a large majority reaffirmed an earlier resolution to ask the conductor (Lieutenant R. J. Simpson) to resign. Later the Control Board decided: “That Mr Simpson be given one week from date to put in his resignation, and, failing that, he he given two months’ notice: In the first case he be given a bonus equal to two months’ pay and in the second case he be given leave of absence for two months, the bpmis or leave to cover any holiday leave due.” A statement made by the Mayor and Chairman of the Control Board (Mr W. G. Tweedy) yesterday states:—

“One of the most important conditions in the appointment of the conductor is that he shall at all times maintain the required discipline necessary for the general efficiency of the band. From the evidence submitted to the last meeting and the frank admission of the conductor himself, this condition has obviously not been fulfilled, for some time past, and the efficiency of the band has suffered in consequence. As the conductor could give no indication that he cpuld bring about any improvement in the position, it was felt by the majority of the Board that, under these circumstances, he should not in fairness to himself be asked to attempt to carry on further.” As a result of the dissension, the Band was without a conductor to leadit in its usual engagement at the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting at Washdyke. A telegram was dispatched to Lieutenant W. H. Osborne, Mr Simpson’s predecessor, and now conductor of the Ashburton Band, inviting him to conduct on that occasion. The invitation was accepted, by Mr Osborne, who assumed leadership of his old combination for the afternoon.