A Band "Shindy."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 24, 15 September 1914, Page 8

A Band "Shindy."

IN THE BeapgCH COUNCIL. MAYOR AND; CR. jyiQ;RISOIA AT LOGGERHEADS. “■ ; *_ ix SEVERAL COUNCILLORS GET “OUT OF ORDER.” LIVELY PROCEEDINGS. ' ■' The Municipal Band was widely discussed at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council, the matter being brought up by the following letter from the secretary of the Band (Mr G. Ford): I heg to Call your attention to the fact that the subsidy to the band for the last twelve months is now due

and I wofuld bo pleased to receive 51. cheque at your earliest convenience. I also wish to enter a strong' protest to the Council against the attitude of the Mayor in his letter appearing in the '‘Stratford Evening Post” of August 14th last. I think the Council will agree that Mr Kirkwood, as Mayor, overstepped the mark in writing to the press in the manner in which he did, without first consulting the committee in charge of the Bahd’s affairs as to his grievance. I hope' His Worship will give the Council an explanation of his “Kaiser William” attitude. 1 '

The Mayor: The only tiling I wish to say about the letter is that its impertinence is its most prominent feature. Cr. Richards Who is the letter from ?

The Town Clerk said it was from the secretary of the committee of the band. Cr. Richards said the Council should have an understanding. 'lf the committee of • the band received money from the Council they should exercise some control of the secretary in his communications to the Council. The Council should know if the secretary was writing of his own volition or with the sanction of his committee. He moved that the committee of the band he asked if the letter was sent with their approval. Cr. Reader thought the Council should put its foot down. Cr. Boon: Is them anything objectionable in the Mayor’s letter to the Press.

Cr. Richards did not think the letter to the press should- be discussed. Cr. Morison' said, that a week ago he had consulted'with the committee of the, band and had discussed the band’s affairs,- including the subsidy. The hand felt aggrieved that the subsidy had not been paid. •He did not desire to discuss the Mayor’s letter to tlie press, which was a personal matter. He thought it was'a great pity that friction should arise. The hand had hi,ado an honest endeavor to carry out the duties imposed by the Council and the demands of the ratepayers. The band had had an uphill pull 'for years and years. They had a hand, master, who coached some young play 4 ers. but these young players'had deft, as also had the bandmaster. The band had his entire sympathy. Jle hoped that tlie .subsidy would be ( |)|id, Froin . what'hediaci'heard'’the Hand committee say die believed that they endorsed the secretaryV letter. '

Tho Mayor having called for further discussion, and there being hone, Cr, Richards proceeded to reply. Ho agreed with Cr. Morison that friction should not be allowed to was the reason why ho had ihoved his resolution. He desired to stop friction arising' from letters sucli as the one under discussion.

Cr. Boon thought the letter which tho Mayor had written to the press should be discussed. 1

the Mayor: The letter to the press is a matter between myself'and the Band.

Cr. Boon: Then the Council should reply that it, has nothing to do \vith the matter.

Cr. Thompson attempted to speak, hut the Mayor asked him to resume his scat, saying Cr. Richards had replied, previous to which ho (the Mayor) had asked for further discussion. Cr. Thompson) said he was 'speaking on the same footing as Cr. Boon; but he was again requested to sit down, and he notified that he would obey the Mayor under . protest. _ - Cr.. Morison moved as an amendment that , the hand be informed that the Council could take .no notice of its quarrel with tho Mayor. Personally he thought tho Mayor was wrong in writing to the press as he did.

The Mayor: You will have to withdraw that remark. Cr. Morison : I withdraw it. I think it is a great pity you did so. The Mayor: You must withdraw that. '

Cr. Morison: Well, I will withdraw it, but 1 think so all tho sairie. The Maoyr: You must withdraw that.

Cr. Morison: I have done so; but I think so still.

The Mayor then ruled that Cr. Morison could not move as he wished; as the letter was a private matter between him (the Mayor) and the hand. Cr. Masters thought that if‘the letter was writteu by the Mayor as Mayor it should he read and discussed. The Mayor: You seem to think that you have a right to criticise all my actions as Mayor.

Or. Masters: I do think we have that right. ' * Cr. King: I think that when a letter is sent to us complaining of your action wo should discuss the matter. You are trying to “run” the Council. ■ The motion was lost, the only “ayes being Crs. Reader and Richards.

Cr. Boon moved and Of. King seconded that the subsidy be paid. The-Mayor said there were certain conditions attached to the subsidy. One condition was that the band-should give a certain number of concerts, and the Council should be sure that these concerts had been given beiore the subsidy was paid. Cr. Boon said ho meant that the conditions should he complied with.^ Cr. Masters: The Band Committee

of the Council should he able to tell us Whether the band has carried out the 'CPiiditioUs or hot,

Cr. Morison: Unfortunately the Band Committee -'•onsists of myself only. 1 believe tlie oand lias done its* level best. Civ Richards: I think the Council should be protected from such Jotters as this.

Crs. Boon, and Masters protested against the question being discussed, but the Mayor allowed Cr. Richards to proceed. Cr. Richards said he was not opposed to encouraging the band, but he was very much opposed to persons being permitted to write to members of the Council in the manner the band secrertary had done. Cr. Boon: I rise to a point of order. 1 The Mayor: Resume your seat. Cr. Boon, again endeavored to speak, and was again ordered to resume his •seat.. Ho-protested against being ordered to sit down before be bad been heard-;: and he .explained .that in his opinion Cr. Richards: was guilty of a breach of order similar to one for which Cr Morison had been pulled up.

The Town Clerk here read out the motion granting a subsidy to the band, one of-the conditions being that twelve concerts he given during the year. The Mayor (to Cr. Morison): Have the band given these twelve concerts,? Cr. Morison: They have given about that number.

The Mayor: We don’t want “about.”

Cr. Morison: They have made several honest endeavors to make an appearance.

The Mayor: We don’t want to hears about “honest endeavors.” • Cr. Morison: Oh! I do. Do I understand your Worship to say that you' will not allow us to discuss your actions as Mayor?

The Mayor: I will not discuss the matter with you. '

Cr. Morison’: Very well. The motion was then carried and the matter dropped.