CORRESPONDENCE.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 14, 30 August 1928, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE BAND. (To the Editor). Sir, —I am very pleased that at last some notice is being taken of our worthy Band. I can imagine what an outcry there would be if it was suggested that the members be disbanded, yet how few of us /realise that it is up to us to give the bandsmen some encouragement to support their efforts. I remember some time ago, when an effort was made to run Sunday evening concerts how few attended and still worse^ how.few showed their appreciation by dropping a coin in the box. The Band used to play on the recreation grounds on Sunday afternoons but I am sorry to say, that has been discontinued, which I consider a great mistake, as sooner or later, the people would have learned to appreciate

the music and would have looked for it. It might be illuminating if the Band "•would take the public into its confidence and let them know what its real financial position is. I understand' that the Borough Council has given it quite a lot of assistance and so it remains for the bansmen to do a little more for themselves. If they do not; possess a sufficiently strong business executive to organise their efforts then I would suggest they seek outside assistance as I feel sure there are many who would help them if approached in a proper manner. —I am etc v CIVIS.

(To the Editor). Siv, —In connection with the article under the heading of "Our Local Bnd," I should like to reply to the letter by '' Old Musician. " He is evidently a supporter of the band and asks some quite legitimate questions, which I am pleased to answer. The information will possibly be of interest to other people as well. ;..

The writer seems to be suffering from the quite common impression that the band is the pampered white haired boy of the Borougn Council, and that the members of the council have united 1.0 assist the band in every possible way. While we a> handymen are very gratefnl for the assistance that has been given so far, that assistance has fallen short. For example in connection with the bandroom, the Council gave to the band an old house, which had to be demolished in any ease, and told the band that if the bandsmen liked to pull down the house, they could re-erect it on a site near the river, next to the Scout HaLI. As the original site of the house was the Mandel Estate, the removal of the building made a good deal of cartage necessary. The timber itself and the iron were in awkward lengths, while the windows were in very bad condition. The building was pulled down, and carted to

the new position. I; co:rc £2(5 16/- to pull the building down, as expert assist- , ance was required; it took three bandsmen several full days with their own lorries to remove the materials. To pat the building up again in good shape

needed a goou deal of new timber, some

of which was donated by a timber mill in the district. Flooring had to be pro-

cured, as the original timber was too worm-eaten to be used again. This cost

£18 16/- and is not yet paid for. Light was installed in the building, which to

date is only a shell* and the instalments on the light are being paid by a member, the Band itself having no founds with which to meet the accounts.

It is clear that if the building is lined, heated and fitted with conveniences, the band will be in a position to raise rev.enue from it by letting. The necessary finance is not in sight, and the completion of the building is held up.

So far, that is the position with regard to the assistance that the band has received from the Borough Council in connection with its band-room.

Several other questions deal with the manner in which the oand has endeavoured to help itself. The question of Sunday night concerts has been raised, and I can only say that as recently as this time last year a concert was held and, though well attended proved a financial loss, mainly because those present gave very, half-heartedly, and indeed, many of them did not give anything at all-, So far as playing in the streets is c^JEerned, we have played at intei-vals on Friday nights, usually in one place as we cannot get boys to hold lights, and have been coldly received by certain of business people. When we expected to receive contributions from them we have been disappointed, and our presence in the streets does not seem to be appre-

dated.. On tins same subject, last Christmas -when the band expects some contributions from people generally, it 'decided .not to collect from the business people on Christmas Eve, as they would

be busy serving their customers, but to call later for tlie contributions that they felt sure would be forthcoming. What was their surprise to find that apparently the spirit of Christmas was absent. I was one of the collectors and I have still to hear that we were not courteous and cheerful.

It must cause surprise to your writer to hear that the Balance Sheet of the band (properly audited) was published in the "Hut News" for March 1(5, 1928. Nobody took much interest in it, however, nor were any questions asked.

In connection with the purchase of band instruments the position might be made cleaT at this stage. In 1923, the band purchased a set of instruments at a cost of £850, and by its own efforts paid off the sum of £554, as up to then the recreation ground was available at Easter time for the running of Gala Days for the band. Qne of the chief reasons why our revenue has decreased is that the Council gave to other bodies the right to hold galas at the time when we were accustomed to do so. Our only opportunity of having the account paid was to ask the council to take over the liability on the instruments, which it did, taking the instruments over as Council property. Thus for the sum of £246 15/----the Council received instruments to 'the value of £850. I may state that the sum of £50 advanced by a supporter of the bands is still unpaid.

I trust, sir, that you will forgive the length of tliis letter in reply to your contributer, and hope that it will throw some light on the present position of the band. —I am etc., J. WEIR, Hon. Treasurer. CYCLISTS ON BITUMEN.----(To the Editor): Sir, —In your last issue there appeared a letter signed by '' A. Broad warning the long-suffering cyclist off the motorists' sacred and hollowed bitumen. I fear Mr. Broad's view is a very narrow one. What are the roads for if we can not use them? When a cycle-track is provided I do not object to using it, but I any sure if Mr. Broad's car was repossessed and he had to revert to the faithful old push bike he would jib at riding on the rough macadam. Many motorists take a delight in harrassing cyclists by driving so close to them as to scare them stiff just for fun. I only hope that when the aeroplane base is established on Gear Island Mr Broad and a few more like him will buy a "Moth" and so get off the face of the earth and leave a little more room on the roads for a working man who cannot afford anything more luxurious than a PUSH BIKE.