FURTHER SUBSIDY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 54, 3 February 1937, Page 2

FURTHER SUBSIDY.

FOR GARRISON BAND. EXPENSES OF CONTEST. As the outcome of representations made by a deputation from the Garrison Band which waited on the Palmerston North City Council, on Monday, the council decided, by a unanimous vote, to grant a further subsidy of £75 to the band. The hand has already been voted a subsidy of £175 for the current financial year (a reduction of £75 from the amount previously granted). The members of the deputation were Messrs J. A. Nash (president of the band), W. H. Brown (honorary organiser) and C. Pike (conductor). In -welcoming the deputation, the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) said he regretted that the band had found it necessary to approach the council again for further finance. While the council would be very pleased to assist it had to be recognised that the amount would be governed by the sum available. The reduction in the subsidy for this year had brought great difficulty in the financing of the band, said Mr Nash. It was recognised, though, that tho council had been very generous to the organisation over a long period of years. The- bandsmen gave their services gratuitously, with the exception of a portion of the money paid for the band’s attendance at race meetings. Those interested in the band considered that when the time arrived for the band to represent the city at the New Zealand contest, it was up to the council, and the citizens, to see that it was sent to the contest. Those interested in the band were anxious that next year’s contest should be held in Palmerston North, and for that to be realised it was essential that the band attend the contest at Nelson. The cost of sending the band there would be £l4O, and there was now £SO in ha.nd. The speaker believed that the conductor now had the band in such a condition that it could not be better prepared for a contest. There was to be a mihtarv bands’ contest in Australia next year and if the band were successful a.t Nelson the citizens might wish the band to attend the Australian contest The dermtation asked that the £75 deducted" from the subsidy this year be paid. , , For the past 52 years the band had been giving service to the citizens, said Mr Brown. In addition to paying the conductor the band had to meet tiie secretary’s salary, instalments on tho hall, payments for lighting and rates and instalments on new instruments. With a grant of only £175 it would be difficult for the band to balance its accounts at the end of the year, but he thought it could just about be done. That would leave, however not a penny with which to send tho ’band to the contest. The recent carnival had not been “a brilliant success,” and £97 had been raised for tho band when it had been expected that the effort would produce over £3OO. The bandsmen’s wives had cleaned and renovated the uniforms, thus saving the band about £lO. Cr. W. B. Cameron asked it the City Band was attending the contest and Mr Nash said he understood so. He hoped so. . „ . „ , If the 1938 contest were held m l almerston North, would the council be called on for a material contribution.'' Cr. Cameron asked. Mr Nash said a meeting was to be held shortly to consider the question of guarantees, as before. “GOOD CASE MADE OUT.”

The Mayor, replying to the deputation, said such a good case bad been made out that when the council came to consider the request he thought that at least some , part of the request would be granted. The council realised that the band fulfilled a very necessary place in the citv, but it had to be remembered that there were now three bands in Palmerston North instead of only one. The deputation then withdrew. At a later stage the Ma v or remarked that the subsidy had this year been reduced from £250 to £l7o. He thought the city should be represented at the contest. Cr Cameron said he would like to see the ft* amount granted on this occasion. The band was doing good service, and to have the further subsidy was the only hope the band had of reaching the contest. He moved that £75 be granted. Seconding the motion, Cr. W. Tennent said there had been more or less an understanding when the esti-

mates for this year were being framed that if the £175 was found to be insufficient a further grant would be made. Cr. J. T. J. Heatley supported the views expressed. Unless the band attended the contest at Nelson, or even both bands, there would be no chance of having the 1938 contest held here, said Cr. G. Tremaine. Cr. 11. L. C. Aitchison thought that the amount paid the three bands was not excessive when it was compared with the subsidy granted in smaller towns where there was only one band. Those who were competent to judge music said the Garrison Band would never leave better equipped for a contest in regard to playing ability than on. this occasion. The capabilities of the conductor were such that he had had offers to go to other bands, but his liking for Palmerston North, and the Garrison Band, had kept him here. The motion was then put and carried without dissent.