CONTINENTAL SUNDAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13852, 11 September 1908, Page 6

CONTINENTAL SUNDAYS.

CITY COUNCIL'S ACTION.

BAND PERFORMANCE FORBIDDEN. "THIN END OF /HE WEDGE." The City Council last night had under discussion an application from the Garrison Band for permission to hold » band performance in Albert Park on. Sunday, October 4, and take up a collection in aid of the band funds. Mr. Bagnall moved that permission be granted. Mr. Smeeton thought this kind of thing should not be encouraged on Sunday, and his remarks were supported by Mr. Tudehope, who characterised Sunday band performances as "the thin end of the wedge." Bands had never been treated no liberally as they had been by the present Mayor, and vet there were continual appeals for band funds. If the Council gave permission to on* hand for a Sunday performance they would have to grant permission to all. Mr. Entrican paid the question was whether they were not introducing something like a. Continental Sunday into Auckland. Perhaps ho might, be characterised as narrow, but h • was against the motion. Mr. Patterson did not sen what harm could be done by listening tc beautiful music on Sunday. The Council should encourage music by all the means in its power. The Salvation Army used it« bands on Sunday, and made hundred*, of converts thereby. He hoped the Council would have common sens? enough to grant the privilege. Mr. Bagnall pointed out thai thf bands did a great, deal in the way of giving charitable performances, and ho was actuated by the desire to assist them to purchase instruments. The motion was negatived by five votes to four. At, a later stage of the meeting Mr. H. M. Smeeton raised objection to a clause in a, report which stated that 'lie of the bands had applied for permission to practice marching in the Doina.iii*Criekot Ground on Sundav mornings. He said lie might be accused of narrow-mindedness, Our he held that the principle was involved in this «« much at-: in the other. Mr. Tudehope thought the bands should practice 011 Saturdays. He hoped the Coupcil was not going to allow this sort of thing on Sundays. The Town Clerk: You cannot stop them if they want t. go there. Mr. Tudehope; ..'his Council has more to do with the morals of ti>i — city than it realises. We arc looked up to, and, as a body we should set oui face* against desecration of the one day in the seven. Mr. G. Knight cordially agreed with this VI-"'. Mr. Patterson remarked that if the Council thought it was, by resolution, going to make God-fearing people of all citizens it made a great mistake. The Domain belonged to the people, and they had a right to it, and they 'ould march there as Ions; as they liked. All bandsmen could not get free on Saturdey afternoons. Mr. Court .said golf and tennis were played on Sundays, and jwoplc went on excursions on Sundays, so why shouldn't a. band be allowed to practice if it wished, A motion against the clause and in the. direction of forbidding the marching practice on Sunday mornings at the Cricket Ground was defeated on the casting vote of the Acting-Mayor.