AMALGAMATION OF BANDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 227, 27 September 1935, Page 6

AMALGAMATION OF BANDS

THE PROPOSAL DROPPED The proposed amalgamation of the Wanganui Garrison and Queen Alexandra Bands has been thoroughly dis cussed by all parties, and as both bands appear to be definitely opposed to the idea of amalgamation, the proposal has now been dropped. It will be remembered that a i-om* mi'ttee of prominent citizens who have for many years taken a keen interest in both bands and who wore actually members of the Citizens’ Committees of the bands hell a meeting early in June lasu shortly after lhe appoint inent of Lieut. E. Webb, conductor uf Queen Alexandra Band, to a position elsewhere had been published. It was then the opinion of a large number of citizens that as both bands were without the services of a vomductor and that as the financial stringency made it a difi’.cult matter to maintain two bands in the city, some leal attempt at amalgamation should be made with a view to cutting expeii'Cs. Advice was freely sought for representative opinion on the matter and it was found that a large number of business and professional men were in lavour of the idea. It was also found that the members of the Citizens ’ Committee of both bands were unanimously in favour of amalgamation. Several meetings were held and eventually it was decided to put the views of the com mittee before both bands, amt deputa lions were appointed for this purpose. Word has now boon received that both bands have unanimously decided against anialgamation. “This decision will no doubt be disappointing to many of the citizens of Wanganui, as it is to the Amalgamation Committee, for it cannot be de nied that a really first-class band could be formed from the best of the talent available, and that such a band would bring further honours to Wanganui in the contest field, ” stated a city resi dont yesterday. “It is also an un deniable fact that the cost of upkeep under anialgamat : on would be verv much below the present cost ol two separate bands, and tuns each committee would be rv-iieved ol much of lhe anxiety and strain of making ends meet “The Citizens’ Committees of tin* existing organisations have been assiduous, for more years than some care lo remember, in their efforts to provide ihe bands cencerued with the funds required to maintain a high standard ot efficiency, and it < 'l'-iut be wondered at that they now feel that their efforts have not been appreciated aud that iFry have resigned from their rcspec A final meeting of the Amalgamation Committee was held on Tuesday last, when a special vote ot thanka was passed to Mr. O’Meara, chairman.