Band “Ignored” At Hospital Function Is Complaint Made

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 September 1949, Page 7

Band “Ignored” At Hospital Function Is Complaint Made

[SPECIAL REPORTER] REEFTON, This Day.—An “explanation from the board for the manner in which the band was ignored” at the opening of the new nurses’ home at Reefton last Saturday, was sought by the Inangahua Silver Band in a letter to the Inangahua Hospital Board, which met last evening. The letter pointed out ; that the band held the board in “deepest respect” and when accepting an invitation to be present at the opening ceremony, asked for a special effort from its members. This entailed one man travelling 40 miles and others to make re-arrangements for work. It was now felt that the failure of the board to provide .some part for the band in the programme, apart from the playing of two marches before the arrival of the two Ministers, showed insincerity in the invitation and deserved some explanation. The band indicated that it felt that the board had been discourteous and that its efforts were not appreciated. The organisation required an explanation in order to define its future attitude, the letter concluded. The chairman of the board, Mr C. Coxall, expressing surprise at the receipt of such a letter, detailed the arrangements made by board members to accommodate the band, and the amount of work that had to be carried out in connection with the function. No Music “At the finish when the band was asked to play a tune, it could not even play the National Anthem because it had not brought its music,” he said. “If the band has a complaint, I would like to know what it is.” “I looked for the band at afternoon tea time, but_l could not find one man in sight to ask in for tea,” said the matron, Miss D. M. Whisker. “The fact that the band came to a public ceremony without music to play the National Anthem is the biggest admissoin of the lot,” said Mr A. G. Wells. Mrs R. Yellowlees said that she could find nothing in the board’s actions at which the band could take offence. She referred to the band’s good work for the hospital, particularly at Christmas time, and expressed regret at the incident. “It is just one big misunderstanding,” said Mrs D. Hardie. “I am bewildered,” said the chairman. “They don’t even say what has hurt them.” Left Out Of “Limelight” “Perhaps it is being left out of the limelight,” suggested another member. On the motion of Mr J. S. McGregor, it was decided to write and thank the band for its attendance at the function, and to state that any misunderstanding was inadvertent. The board decided to instruct the architect to call tenders for the construction of the new main hospital as soon ,as the quantity survey was completed—within three weeks’ time. During the month it was reported, 39 patients were admitted to the hospital, and 24 were discharged. There were 12 births, two deaths and 27 operations.

Mr C. Coxall presided and the following members were in attendance:—Mrs R. Yellowlees, Mrs D. Hardie, Messrs J. S. McGregor, A. G. Wells, T. A. Haldane, A, Topp, and J. J. Coghlan.