“SCANDAL” ATTACKED BY COUNCILLORS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18578, 28 September 1928, Page 1

“SCANDAL” ATTACKED BY COUNCILLORS

MUNICIPAL MUSIC FAR TOO COSTLY, AUCKLAND FINDS. (Special to the “ Star ") AUCKLAND, September 28. “If ever there was. a scandal here is one,” declared Councillor F. W. H. Brinsden in informing the City Council last evening; that the tuning of the Town Hall organ cost £2OB a year. Led by Councillor Brinsden. an outspoken attack was made on the various aspects of the management of municipal music, the main contention being that the expenditure was not consistent with the value returned. The subject was introduced in a series of recommendations by a subcommittee comprising the Mavor, Mr George Baildon, Miss E. Melville, Coun cillor J. B. Paterson and Councillor Brinsden. Councillor Brinsden complained that the suggestions made by him had not been given a fair hearing, and he claimed that he could effect savings amounting to at least £SOO on the present system of management. The upshot was that while the vari ous recommendations in connection with the Municipal Band were approved, the proposals connected with the organ ancl municipal choir performances were referred back, with a view to (1) reviewing the term • of the engagement of the city organist, Mr Maughan Barnett, (2) considering the advisability of appointing three honorary organists to be paid on a performance basis, and (3) considering the advisability of calling tenders for the tuning of the organ. An amendment to that effect was carried by a fair margin after a length -1 ' discussion. The return f or- the current season showed that the average attendance at o~gan concerts, including two muni cipal choir conce-ts. was 148 E>clusive of choir, the average attend ance was 96. Receipts on the sa’basis averaged £4 '*• Sd and £3 18* 7d a concert resne-tively. The average attendance at band concerts ha been and the average reoeiots £9 16s Bd.