BANDSMEN SILENCED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 749, 23 August 1929, Page 16

BANDSMEN SILENCED

TOLD TO JOIN THE “ARMY” OTAHUHU DEPUTATION Enthusiasts who are determined to form an Otahuhu Citizens' Band, and who would not take no for an answer, at last night’s meeting of the Otahuhu Borough Council, were effectively silenced by Councillor Hunter. He told the deputation that if they were such expert players as they claimed to be, he would guarantee a position for the quartet in the local Salvation Army Band. Mr. Thornton headed the deputation and said that there were at present fifteen citizens of Otahuhu who were desirous of forming a citizens’ band. They had no intention of stirring up strife, but if any of the members of the present band had a word to say, they were told to get out by the ser-geant-major. There were at present only six members of the original band merged with the Auckland Mounted Rifles Band. A passage-at-arms took place when the Mayor told the speaker that there was nothing to stop them from having a band. Mr. Thornton: We must have instruments. The Mayor: Well, you can buy them. Mr. Thornton: There are instruments in Otahuhu at present. The Mavor: They ate in use at present by the Otahuhu band, which is merged with the Auckland Mounted Rifles Band. Mr. Thornton: Do you call that a band ? The Mayor: Well, it sounds all right to me, and it has never been on a better footing than at present. Mr. Deverill also spoke in favour of the formation of another band. The Mayor said that he was voicing the opinion of the council when he said that they had no intention of altering the present agreement. The present band was certainly carrying out its part of the bargain, and the council intended to do the same. Mr. Richards, another mpmber of the deputation, then asked permission to speak. He was ruled out of order, but he refused to recognise the ruling till Cr. Hunter suggested joining the Salvation Army.