MUNICIPAL MUSIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20081, 19 October 1928, Page 16

MUNICIPAL MUSIC.

NEW FORM OF CONTROL. WAITING FOR INFORMATION. The fullire conduct of J own Hall conceits and organ recitals, and the cost of tuning tho organ, which were discussed at the meeting of the City Council thice weeks ago, again came under notice at last evening's meeting. Nothing more will be done ponding the securing of certain information about such municipal enterprises, but when that is obtained it will be suggested a small committee of the council should assume control of m.liters musical for a trial period of six months.

A subcommittee which had reported on file management of municipal music had several recommendations referred back to it with the object of:—(1) Reviewing the terms of the engagement of the city organist; (2) considering the advisability or otherwise of appointing three honorary organists, to lie paid on a performance basis: and (3) reviewing the existing arrangements for tuning and repairing tho organ with the object of calling tenders for the work. It had been stated the cost of tuning was £2OB a year.

After giving further consideration to the matter the Finance Committee recommended that in the meantime the recommendations of tlie sub-committee should be given effect to. The town clerk had been instructed to obtain information from Australian cities and from Wellington regarding points which had been raised at the previous meeting of the council, ano the sub-committee would

then make a further report. Mr. L. A. Eady moved a further recommendation tliat a small committee of iho council should be set up to govern its musical affairs, with power to act, the whole position to bo reviewed at the end of six months. In 1925 the same thing had been done with a good deal of success, he said. Band attendances increased from an average of 685 in 1925 to 1237 in 1926, and that in spite of increased charges and with only slightly heavier expenditure on advertising. Only a small committee, providing intimato and constant touch, could effectively look after the hundred-and-one details, l'ow municipalities in the Empire had such an advanced musical policy at that of Auckland. The city had one of tho finest organs in Australia or New Zealand, worth about £20,000 now, and in Mr. Christopher Smith and Mr. Manghan Barnett the. city had two musicians of outstanding ability.

Mr. M. .1. Coyle seconded Mr. Eady's motion, but it met with a good deal of opposition on tho ground that it was untimely. Mr. Eady withdrew his suggestion until next meeting, and it was decided to defer action until the information sought was available.