BAND TROUBLES

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3419, 13 February 1936, Page 4

BAND TROUBLES

LACK OF PUBLIC SUPPORT DEPUTATION TO WAIT ON COUNCIL For some time past there has been a feeling among members of the Cambridge Municipal Band that their services are not being appreciated by the public and the matter was fully discussed at a special meeting held last evening. The chairman of the committee, Mr B. H. Bishop, presided. It was stated that the band uniforms are not fit to wear, and while the band is practising for the South Auckland contest at Hamilton, members are not inclined to attend unless they are well dressed. Appreciating the fact that the bandsmen are working in harmony, it was decided that a deputation wait on the council, requesting further financial assistance. The result of this deputation will have a direct bearing on the future of the band. Several bandsmen present thought that the recent unfortunate incident when the band failed to attend the special Church service on the death of the King, may have created a wrong impression, and a full explanation was given to show that a misunderstanding had taken place and the band was in no way to blame. At the conclusion of the meeting those present felt that something had been gained, and the result of the deputation will be anxiously awaited.

Mr Bishop stated that there had been considerable talk around the town and altogether there had been misunderstanding. The bandsmen themselves were becoming disheartened at the lack of public interest and recent happenings had not improved matters. That the band had not attended the dedication of the St. John Ambulance and later the memorial service of the late King, had not been the fault of the band.

Mr Bishop quoted other bands in smaller towns than Cambridge where there was more enthusiasm and public support. He had called the meeting in an endeavour to clear matters up. The band had entered for the contest, but at present the players did not appear inclined to go. ... New uniforms were badly needed.

Mr J. Baker, a member of the band said there had been difficulties in the band but 16 or 17 had pulled together and would continue to clo so. There had been ill-feeling among members last year when a number of old players returned to assist at the contest, but objection was taken to their attitude of appearing to be doing the band a favour. However, all that matter had been settled, and at present there is no disharmony or undercurrent among members. The band had been disheartened in its efforts to raise funds. The Nigger Minstel show had been successful, but the series of concerts held had been very poorly attended. In spite of this the sum of £4O had been raised. It was now thought that the Borough Council would provide further financial assistance, concluded Mr Baker.

Mr Bishop said an expression of feeling had been suggested that an alteration to the personnel of the committee might improve the band. Other Municipal Bands that were progressing had as their committee the whole of the band members, together with two Gouncil representatives and the Town Clerk as treasurer.

Mr W. White considered that the crux of the whole trouble was that the band did not receive the support from the Council to which it was entitled. When the band had money this was spent in purchasing assets which are now vested in the Council. At one time the band subsidy amounted to £7O per annum. Mr White then moved a resolution as follows: That this special meeting finds that the band is unable to carry on as at present, and as a municipal body requests that the Borough Council take over and fully equip the band and be responsible for all incomings and outgoings with the Town Clerk as treasurer to handle all finances.

Mr Edgar James, council delegate, said that he thought the council might have been more helpful to the band financially, but restricted finance had been the only weakness in the council’s interest. He did not think that control of the band by the council would prove beneficial, as the band would have less representatives than at present. < Mr James expressed pleasure at Mr Baker’s remarks that the band is at present working harmoniously. Concerning the Citizens’ Committee, which had promised to raise finance for new uniforms, it was unfortunate that this had fallen through, said Mr James. Such an occurrence was likely to dampen the spirits of any bandsman.

The council fully appreciated the band’s services and Mr James felt sure that any deputation would be sympathetically received. After hearing Mr James, Mr White agreed to alter his motion to the effect that a deputation wait on the council with a request that financial assistance be provided to help the band to purchase new uniforms and attend the contest at Hamilton. It was stated that at present the band has only twelve uniforms, while eight others are being hired from Hamilton at 10/- a week. An estimate of the cost of a set of new uniforms was given as £l5O. Mr White’s resolution was carried unanimously, and it was also decided to secure quotations from local and outside firms for new uniforms. Messrs C. Kelly, W. White, B. H. Bishop and R. Sampson were appointed a deputation to wait on the council.