The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-07-16 00:00:00

TOWN BAND.

On Monday evening, • meeting was held at the
Townhall for the purpose of considering the best
steps to be taken in regard to providing an efficient
Town Band. A large number of the leading
tradesmen and inhabitants attended, being more
readily enabled to do so by the convenient, though
somewhat singular hour fixed upon, for the assembly,
9 p.m. The Mayor opened the proceedings by
referring to the object for which they were
amenlblod, alluding to the fact that Weymouth was
dependent upon its visitors, and that they therefore
should provide for their amusement. He also
remarked upon the present condition of the band
and the satisfaction ,nven to all by their efforts, and
considered that they deserved to be liberally
supported. (Applause.)
Mr. POTHICARI observed that some dissatisfaction
had existed with regard to the previous engagements of
Germsn bands in place of developing and encouraging
the native talent and musical skill possessed by some of
our felloweownamen. The present band wail thoroughly
efficient ; Mr. Stagg, the baud master, deserved the
highest encomiums for the state of proficiency to which
is bad briright its members. Hail he (Mr. Putliecruy)
been away during the past year he could not have believed
that so much could have been done in so little time.
Some tradesuien had not hitherto supported the band
as they ought, but he hoped they would now be • little
more liberal than they had been. He would now move
the following resolution :—" That is is expedient at
ones to engage • town band for the amusement of the
inhabitants and visitors during the present mason."
Hr. S. Stv seconded the above, which was unani-
mously concurred in.
Mr. R. N. Howaari, after alluding to the credit due
to Mr. Beau, said that both the bandsimn and the town
would feel doubly interested in the matter, and moved
the following, which was seconded by Mr. Thompson :
"flat a committee be at once formed, with power to
add to its number, to carry out be views of this
meeting, to collect sulecrietions. witlethe sanction
Of the officers of the Fifth Dorset Volunteer Rifle Corps,
to treat with Mr. Stagg, their banilmaater, for the
engagement of the band during the coming season."—
Carried unanimously.
Mr. Macs nuggested that all payments on account of
the band mimed I 1).• conaidereil ii. animal subscriptions,
Mr. S. SLY Agreed with Mr. ltd.,. He for one would
be glad o make his subscription annual. lie thought
that • personal canvos for donation* should be made by
deputed in •inhers of the committee, and that it would
bet. r more effective than elm loying a paid collector to
do so. He, for one, would gladly devote some few
hours weekly to that puroose, and hoped that the
inhabitants would give to the ol ject now under die.
mission, as regularly as they oil the poor rate, and as
liberally as they did to the regatta and races. This band
would be permanent, available on all public occasions,
at all season. of the year. He thought that the salary
of the master of the band should be fixed at, say
per annum. They might complimeet Mr. Stagg on his
sucoessful training of the members of the trawl, but that
was not sufficient compensation. The labourer is
worthy of his hire, and Mr. Stagg's efforts must be both
appreciated and rewarded.
Mr. SWANN considered that an estimate of the
probable yearly cost of the band should be laid before
the public.
Mr. Howaun thought that the details referred to by
the previous speaker should be reserved for the con-
Mderation of the cominittee. The Weymouth tradesmen
in general contributed liberally to the various public
necessities. It was difficult to collect money from
many persons who listened to the Perforuianoes with
pleasure, but who, when celled upon refused to contri-
bute. (Mr. Sty—" That's the only time they don't like
After some desultory discussion of little interest to
our readers, in the the course of which Mr. Sly was
understood to say that the cost of the proposed band
would be about £3OO during the year, the previous band
having cost £250 for three months, the names of the
committee were read, and • list of subscriptions opened.
The Mayor headed the latter with • donation of
and • large amount was soon collected.
A vote of thanks to the Mayor concluded the
proceedings.