THE STRATFORD BAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 98, 15 August 1914, Page 4

THE STRATFORD BAND.

[To The Editor Sthateokd Post.] Sir, —With reference to the letter published in your columns last evening, by the conductor of the Stratford Band, I desire to state that it is not so much courtesy front myself as Mayor that ;s demanded, as better management and organisation by those responsible for the Band's duty to the public. I agree that it would be unreasonable to expect the Band to turn out on every occasion that our men leave Stratford to join the colors, seeing that they have been leaving: almost daily in small numbers at a time. For this reason I have only asked the Band, to turn out on one occasion when a. fairly large squad of men marched from the Defence Office to the railway station. I made the request the evening before the volunteers left, and as the nien left by the early train the fact of the Band turning out would not have interfered with the bandsmen's ordinary vocations. But only six responded. The morning! n -as certainly driz-zling-with rain-, but if a little rain is to stop our patriotic Band from turning out to do honor to our de|>arting men then the fact is to be regretted. This is not the first occasion that the Municipal Band has disappointed the public, and the time has arrived for plain speaking. While I recognise that a considerable number of the Band's members are worthy of the position they hold, it is my intention to take such action as.l deem fit in the interests of the town in due course. While the action I intend taking may not suit the ideas of the Band's conductor, I believe the townspeople will agree with my proposals in their entirety.—l am, etc., W. P. KIRKWOOD, Mayor. Stratford, 14th August, 1914.