GRANT FROM COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1934, Page 8

GRANT FROM COUNCIL

HAWERA BAND’S FINANCES RECOMMENDATION OF MEETING. INCREASED SUBSIDY SOUGHT. “I shall oppose it to the best of my ability,” declare., the Mayor, Mr. J. E. Campbell, when a motion recommending the Hawera Borough Council to make a grant of £l2O to rehabilitate the funds of the Hawera Municipal Band was proposed by Mr. E. Dixon, ex chairman of the citizens’ committee, at a citizens’ meeting held on Friday to discuss the band’s position, the Mayor presiding. The motion was carried by a large majority and an amendment proposed by Mr. Campbell himself, that a subscription list be opened, was lost by a majority equally as large. Mr. Dixon was also the sponsor, Mr. L. O. Hooker, seconding both, of a motion recommending the council to restore the original subsidy granted the band of £2OO, less 10 per cent. Although an objection that those present at the meeting were not all ratepayers was made, the Mayor allowed the voting to proceed and the motion was carried by a big majority. Soon after the start, the meeting divided itself into three sections —those who blamed the Mayor, those who sided with him and those who appealed for a middle course to be taken in a discussion of the band’s position. The band had got into an unfortunate financial position, said the Mayor in opening the meeting. He wanted it made clear that his attitude had not been for want of sympathy with the band. He considered’ £l3O an adequate yearly subsidy for the band. No other borough in New Zealand, with two exceptions, gave a greater subsidy. As far as his personal attitude was concerned, he was prepared to subscribe to the band, and if there were sufficient citizens in the town who were prepared to do likewise, the £BO liability of the band would soon be wiped off. Mr. W. G. Simpson, chairman of the band committee, said he believed if the liability were wiped off, that the band could function on £l3O subsidy. The subsidy had been eaten int for the present and there would ke no council subsidy until March. Mr. Simpson referred to the statement made by the deputation the recent council meeting regarding bandsmen taking a “cut” from the Christmas carolling. It was, he said, incorrect. It had been the custom, once, some years ago. There were bandsmen who had belonged to the organisation for 21 years who had sacrificed their own interests and had never received anything for - their services. Tire bandsmen, in every case, despite criticisms of the conductor, were extremely loyal to Mr. H. C. A. Fox. Mr. L. A. Taylor asked whether the council had acted in reducing the amount of collecting at concerts at King Edward Park. Mr. H. W. Lester said the citizens’ committee had done that, owing to the feeling that it was not desirable to be thrusting collection boxes under people’s noses. The council’s cut in subsidy had been the cause of the financial debility of the band, said Mr. Lester. He personally blamed the Mayor for the band’s present position. “I resent the criticism,” said 'Mr. Campbell. “Can you explain to me why an account owing for two years had not been paid. Also, why were not the band’s liabilities showfi in the balancesheets presented to the council. You were the treasurer —you should know.” Mr. L. O. Hooker said he was prepared to pay £lO if 11 other citizens would be prepared to pay a similar sum. Hawera had been recognised as one of the musical centres in New Zealand. Music should be cultivated in the youth of the town, for it was from them that the bands and orchestras of the future would be formed. The band had unfortunately drifted into an offside position with tire public. The reason was the cut in the subsidy from £lBO to £l3O when seven months of the band’s financial year had gone. For about 10 years the band had worked harmoniously, said Mr. Dixon. When the hard times came, the band accepted a 10 per cent, cut, with good grace. When six or seven months of the band’s financial year had gone, the cut had been made, ending in disaster. COUNCIL’S RESPONSIBILITY. The Mayor and the councillors who had voted against the restoration of the original subsidy to the band were responsible for its decline, said Mr. Dixon. Previous councils had given the full subsidy and it was impossible to carry on at the present subsidy. Hawera was extremely fortunate to possess Mr. Fox, whose work had resulted in there being fewer boys and hobbledehoys on the street comers. Mr. Campbell: Bunkum! Mr. Dixon: If the public assists the band this year, will it assist next year? The only way to restore the band is to restore the subsidy. Otherwise the band should give Mr. Fox three months’ notice and call applications for a man willing to take a lower salary to be augmented by outside work. To hammer at the Mayor was unfair, said Mr. W. G. Walkley. The council was equally divided on the vote and the Mayor was entitled to his own opinion. He urged that the discussion be confined to the best methods of getting the band out of its difficulties. Would it not be advisable, asked Mr. L. A. Taylor, to dissolve the citizens’ committee? He thought bandsmen played because they enjoyed it and they would run their own affairs better than a citizens’ committee on which he did not want to cast any aspersions. Mr. C. Tregoar: Doe., Mr. Fox earn other salaries than from the band? Why did the band committee not budget for the cut if they knew the Mayor was against the large subsidy? Mr. Dixon: Mr. Fox lost his private pupils when he took up the school work. It was impossible to say what attitude the council would take up. Mr. A. H. Guy was informed that the conductor’s salary had been voluntarily reduced from £260 to £2OB per annum. “How do you expect,” he said, “the band to function on its present increments? Kaponga, with 400 people, pays its conductor £lOO a year.” Mr. E. K. Cameron said something good should come out of such a representative meeting. Mr. Dixon proposed that the meeting, as representing the citizens, should call on the borough council to make a grant of £l2O toward the fund. The Mayor immediately opposed it. Last year, he said, £346 was collected for the band, of which £l3l was spent in going to the national contest at Wellington. It had not had a “dog’s show” of winning. Regarding the contest, Mr. Dixon said it had been stipulated that unless the money was raised the band was not to go. The whole of the money had been raised by the bandsmen and their wives. It was therefore no reflection on the band committee that the band had gone. No inroad for the purpose had been made in the council subsidy. “Does Mr. Campbell,” said Mr. Dixon, “believe that if a subscription list were opened people would subscribe? They cannot. Times are too difficult.” The band had its duties, said Mr. Simpson, and had a right to call upon public support.

FAREWELLS AT NORMANBY. CHURCH MEMBERS HONOURED. A pleasant social gathering took place in the Normanby Presbyterian hall recently when the church people assembled to farewell three members, Mrs. Franklyn, organist for several years, Miss Whitelock and Mr. Gloag, choir members. The regret felt at the loss of the members was expressed by Mr. A. Galloway, who wished them prosperity and happiness. The value of their services to the church was expressed by the Rev. K. J. Watson, who presented a hand-bag to Mrs. Franklyn. Books were presented to Miss Whitelock by Miss P. Gane and to Mr. Gloag by Mr. Christensen. Musical items were given and supper was served by the ladies. OPERATIC PRODUCTION. HAWERA SOCIETY’S SHOW. The Hawera Amateur Operatic Society’s “show” for the 1934 season, “The Firefly,” is well forward, and by the . time the production is staged next Monday the cast should have settled down to an excellent combination. The work chosen, though not particularly well known in New Zealand, is a tuneful, clever musical comedy of Rudolf Friml. There are some splendid songs, and the dialogue throughout is bright, humorous, and of a type likely to appeal to audiences anywhere in the world. The.story revolves round Gianina, a little Italian girl, who rises to become a prima donna of world fame. Much of the setting is in the pleasant isle of Bermuda, giving opportunities for splendid sets, opportunities that have been fully availed of by the society. The cast of principals will demonstrate Hawera’s claim to be one of the leading musical centres in the Dominion, and the chorus work is outstanding. Mr. Harison Cook, the well-known Wellington producer, is in charge, and under his capable direction the season should add another milestone to an energetic and capable society’s record. GENERAL ITEMS. Accident While Ploughing. Mr. Hector McLean, Auroa, met with a painful accident to his, ribs while he was ploughing. He is under medical treatment. Definition of Comers. To aid in the better definition of corners, metal studs have been placed at three comers in the Hawera borough by the council, working in co-operation with the Hawera County Council. The studs have proved useful elsewhere, and favourable comment by motorists has already been made to a Daily News reporter on them. Board Visit The Main Highways Board advised the Hawera County Council on Saturday that it would meet the council, the Hawera Borough Council, and the Automobile Association (South Taranaki) on November 30, at 10 a.m., to discuss any necessary matters. Infantile Paralysis. , One case of infantile paralysis of a i Maori youth, 16 years of age, was report- < ed to the Hawera County Council by 1 Mr. R. Gooding, health inspector, on Sat- i urday. ■ i Lost His Bat. ‘ x Some amusement was caused in a e cricket match at Kaponga on Saturday r when Archer, the last man in for Patea, r took his bat. He made a wild stroke e at the ball but lost his grip and the bat flew into the air. The ball continued t on to the wicket and brought the in- c nings to a close to the surprise of the c bewildered batsman. jl

FUNDS FOR MAIN SCHOOL. ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTATION. To aid the funds of the committee, of the Hawera Main school, an entertainment, comprising four one-act plays, will be presented at the Grand Theatre at the end of the month. At the monthly meeting of the committee on Friday night Dr. W. M. Thomson reported the progress of the proposed entertainment. The headmaster (Mr. J. W. Thomas) reported that the average attendance was approximately 34 per- cent, of the roll number, and that the grounds and surroundings generally were being kept in good order. It was decided to cut the overhanging branches of trees bordering the tennis court and to repair several broken windows in the school buildings. Messrs. E. J. Yearbury and H. Ackroyd were

appointed a visiting committee until next meeting. A letter was received from the chief postmaster, New Plymouth, pointing out the facilities provided, by the Post Office Savings Bank for the provision of working accounts for school committees. The letter .was. received and it was decided to take no action.