WELLINGTON TRAMWAYS

NZ Truth, Issue 477, 8 August 1914, Page 9

WELLINGTON TRAMWAYS

Who Rules the Roost?

Town Conncil or the Tootleers ?

Citizens Turned Down for Outlander Bandsmen.

For some time past "Truth" has been keeping: an eye on that part of the Municipal machine that devotes its attention to Tramways, and the resalts of its observations are that it is enabled to lay before its readers a few significant facts concerning the staffing of the show, especially as far as it refers to the connection that exists between the Tramways and the Tramways Band. ■ All are aware of the fact that, for some months past, there has been a SERIOtTS SCARCITY OP EMPLOYMENT m the city. There are scores of eligible young men who have tried, but tried m vain, to get a show m the Tramway service. They are blocked, simply, because they cannot play a brass instrument. The appointments are m the hands of a select few and the main consideration is musical ability. "Truth," just here, wants to ask the very straight and pertinent question — What is the Tramways Committee doing m the matter of seeing that residents of the city, who, directly or indirectly, help to pay the taxes, get preference of employment as against outsiders? The answer is — simply nothing. The whole show is run by / the band. Now, gentle reader, don't be too previous and chuck down the paper with the exclamation, "Damned rot!" "Truth" knows what it is saying and can prove it It has to its hand an Australian musical paper, "The Australian Bandsman," wherein is this very significant advertisement: — ■■• Cornet players wanted. None but good men need apply. Work will be found for successful applicants. 'Apply to the Secretary, Tramway Band. Wellington, JSLZ. It will be noted' that the very necessary qualifications of "previous experience on tramways" or "satisfactory character" are CONSPICUOUS BY THEIR ABSENCE. They seem to be of no concern m the running of a service m which the employees are brought' into dose contact with the general public. Here- is a case m point A certain travelling organisation was stranded here some time ago, and one of ' its members received a job m the Tramways, because he possessed the necessary musical ability. He was an excellent euphonium player; Unfortunately for him, but fortunately for the citizens of Wellington, he was prevented from taking up his duties — not by the Tramways Committee— not by the Electrical Engineer — but by the intervention of a "John 'Op" with a-pieco of blue paper, known as a "warrant for arrest," on a charge of forcibly EXHIBITING OBSCENE LITERATURE to a boy of tender years. He is now enjoying the fresh air m the Terrace Gaol for a period of six months. "Truth" declares that the whole business .wants a thorough investigation and a full and free account of the. results thereof given to the public. There aro other bands m the city, the members of which arc ratepayers, and the Tramways Band should not be run at their expense. This paper is informed that the City Council took over £300 of liabilities m connection with an old set of instruments that had been "scrapped," because they were no good for contests and that a further sum of £300 has been voted towards a new sot, which, m a few years, like Dreadnoughts, will becomo out of date. This certainly calls for an explanation from the Council. Furthermore, information is to hand that at the last contest, the annual subsidy was voted to t'he Tramways Band m advance, while ANOTHER BAND HAD TO WAIT till the twelve months had expired and the amount was duly earned. Perhaps the Mayor and the City Auditor are m a position to* say something on the matter. The Tramways exist for public convenlonco and not for contests. While "Truth" does not blame "the Trammles'\ for getting all they can out of a complacent Council and docs not ! begrudge tholr enjoying a fair sharo of the good things that are going, it j does not think it reasonable that a monopoly should exist at tho expense of tho other city bands, tho general public's convenience and tho city's deserving unemployed.