BANNED THE BAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 95, 23 April 1926, Page 7

BANNED THE BAND.

COMMITTEE'S BACK TO WALL.

WON'T BE "BULLIED OR COAXED."

Prominence is given in the report of the Northcote School Committee to tha proposal to establish a Northcote'Junior High School Band. A nucleus of a fund afor.thej.purpose, was provided of £4 12/G, as the resirlt- of the visit to Northcote of the band .of .the United States warship New Mexico. X . ■ • ,

On ■ September 22 a public meeting, under the auspices of ■ the Northcote School Committee, though , allegedly poorly attended, passed -a reolution to form- the'band,-and elected a Band Com-' mittee, with the objective of raising £1050" for what : was then considered adequate and suitable instrumentation. The- communication by the newly constituted . Band Committee of this decision to the School Committee, the ' report explains, was. regarded with, such disfavour that the following resolution waa sent to the said Band Committee, the Birkenhead and Northcote Orphans' Club, and the headmaster: "That thi* meeting of Northcote Schools ■; Committee,' in view of the fact that no. subsidy from the Education Board is .forthcoming for the purchase of band instruments for schools, is convinced that tho raising of .£IOSO is, a far .too ambitious scheme to be undertaken at present for the purpose of Obtaining military band instruments for our Junior High School, and is therefore unwilling to be a party to the project. • Further, it ia ascertained that, under existing regulations, np recognition of such musical training ia provided for to .warrant the belief that it might be conducted during school hours. • Moreover, it is contended that the demand for ground improvements at the Junior High School, as well as the Northcote Primary SchoM, is far more urgent and insistent, and therefore should command the prior, support o? your Orphans' Club and the Schools Committee."

The Teport proceeds: "And your School Committee has steadfatly refused to be either bullied or coaxed into rescinding that resolution of October 5. However, a series of concerts, etc., and a fair were promoted with the acquiescence of your committee, as a result of which the Northcote Junior High School Band account in the Auckland Savings Bank now stands at £188 10/10. and this account at present can only ho

operated, jointly, by the present school committee's chairman and Airs. A. E. Taylor. In addition, your committee understands from the headmaster that he still holds a considerable balance iv hand. Therefore it is incumbent on the meeting of householders to definitely decide whether the Xorthcote Junior High School Band' is to be, or not to be, brought to fruition."'

If not in favour of tho band scheme, it was for the householders to "direct your representatives as to the* disnosal of the existing' Junior High School Band fund."