ECHO OF PIPE BAND CONTEST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 106, 6 May 1936, Page 6

ECHO OF PIPE BAND CONTEST

CHARGE FOR COOK’S GARDENS COMMITTEE SEEKS REDUCTION An effort to obtain reduction in the charge made for the use of Cook’s Gaidens for the recent New Zealand Pipe Band Contest failed at the Wangmui City Council table last night. The question of whether the council make a donation towards the erection of a uandroom is to be considered when the estimates are framed, and a rccomme.* 1datiou of the Works Committee was adopted to the effect that a conference (■•f all sports bodies and bands using Cook's Gardens be called with a view to considering ways and means of raising funds to equip the gardens with suitable buildings. Levied on a basis of 10 per cent, on the gross takings at the contest, the council’s account against ihe cc-ntest committee amounted to £73 8s 7d, and there was a further charge of £4 Ils ■ld for lighting. Cr. J. J. Scott and Cr. J. Robertson sought to amend the charge to 10 per cent c-n the first £2OO and 5 per cent, on the balance of the takings (about £46 15s). They stressed the publicspirited zeal of the contest committee and what the contest had meant to the city. A majority of the council held that the committee knew it was undertaking an obligation of 10 per cent, and it was the council’s aim to improve reserves. It was for that reason that such a charge wa«» made. A division resulted in Crs. Halligan, Crowley, Sperring, Hales, Atkinson, Trott, ‘Siddells and Bennett voting to adhere to the Original charge, and In the Mayor, Crs. Robertson, Cotterill and Scott supporting the reduction based on 10 and 5 per cent. The committee of the Pipe Band also wrote stating that if the reduction was not made would the council consider making a donation towards the erection of a bandroom! The Mayor favoured holding that matter over until a meeting of sports bodies and bonds had been called. Cr. Scott. We have givjn thum (the Pipe Band) every encouragement t® come into it with a light heart, you know.

The matter was held over until th< estimates are considered.