BAND-PLAYING ON SUNDAYS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11730, 3 November 1903, Page 5

BAND-PLAYING ON SUNDAYS.

A large deputation waited on the City Council last night, and presented a petition praying that the playing of bands on Sunday should be prevented. The Rev. J. Mackenzie, President of the Ministers' Association, said they came simply as citizens, who considered they hud a grievance. He contended thaS band playing on trains was done simply as an advertisement, and the city should be jealous of the use. to which its streets are put, especially as by-laws existed preventing musical or other advertising in the streets. TTiis Sunday band playing was a positive nuisance to Sunday-schools, and performed no necessary or good work. There was a large body of public opinion behind the request. The deputation had originated with laymen, who asked the ministers to co-operate with them. Mr J. A. Flesher also spoke in support of the petition. In reply to questions, Mr Mackenzie said the petitioners did not ask for different treatment to the Salvation Army band should it play on Sundays on tram cars. If bands did' not commence playing in parks and on rotundas till 3.30 on. Sunday afternoons, it would meet the desires of the deputation. The Mayor said the representations of the deputation would receive careful consideration.

The deputxition then withdrew. Cr. Carey moved, and Cr. Hadfield seconded—" That the petition be received, and inferred to the By-laws Committee, with the request that they frame a by-law forbidding the playing of bands on tramcars in Christchurch on Sundays." Cr. Gray moved, as an amendment—- " That the" petition be sent to the Trarnwav Board, that thev may deal with the matter." Ho pointed out that the Council cou'd onlv deal with the subject in a partial maimer-any by-law made would only affect the bands inside the city boundaries. No complaint had reached him with regard to the time at which the bands played on the Victoria square on Sundays. it there had been any complamts he would have had the. time altered. The amendment was not seconded, ana the motion was agreed to. On the motion of Cr. Carey, it was decided to refer the question of band playing on rotundas on Sundays to the Band Committee.