The Brass Band will play a programme of music on the balcony of the Criterion Hotel this evening.

Many of the audience will no doubt be tempted to take advantage of the tar paved street for a jazz to the inspiring strains of the band recitals which are always popular, and should draw a large crowd this evening.

Members of the Sale Brass Band are maintaining interest in this valuable institution which is a great acquisition to the town. To obviate making direct appeals to the public for financial support, they embarked on picture shows, which, whilst providing patrons with the best pictures screen ed, supplies the sinews of war to enable the Band to meet its obligations. The idea is admirable in its conception, and well worthy of support. Members of the Band have just cause for complaint, however, that their enterprise is not so successful as it might be. Owing to many to whom they naturally and reasonably looked to for continuous support withholding it. When it is considered that the Band goes to no end of pains to secure the best of screen artists for the decectation of their patrons, it is only reasonable to expect that their efforts will be liberally supported in the way of public patronage. By attending the band pictures patrons are assisting a local in situation, one not only worthy of, but entitled to public support, especially when no extra charge is made for super "stars," which was not always picture-goers experience in Sale.

The meeting convened by the Mayor (Cr Cullinan) to consider the position of the Sale Brass Band was poorly attended by citizens at the Council Chambers on Wednesday night. There were several bandsmen present.

The Mayor read the correspondence that had been handed to him, relating the bandsmen's decision to go into recess until the public put the organisation on a sound financial footing. He went exhaustively into the financial statements of the band's affairs which had been prepared for him by Mr. F. Shepard. The bandsmen's decision to go into recess had led to the immediate resignation of the committee.

 The assets were shown at £722, which included uniforms at £330 and instruments at £415/10-. The liabilities were set out as £ 291/12/11, leaving a balance in favour of the band of approximately £430.

The Queen Carnival of 1923 had re turned £743 out of which uniforms and instruments had been purchased. A loan had been made to the band's moving picture enterprise, which had resulted in a loss of £184.

The Mayor said that a pleasing feature of the figures was the indication that with proper management and pro per care the band could be financed in the ordinary way. He had previously stated he did not think the weekly collections should have been neglected, and looking through the figures show ed that he was not wrong. The collector collected between September 4th and October 12th £38/4. That was a very satisfactory collection. It was now no use crying over spilt milk, or going over the past; they were faced with the problem of putting the Band on a proper basis. He pointed out the loss on the picture venture, but for which the band would be in a fairly satisfactory position. By regular collections, with an occasional extraordinary effort the band could be nicely maintained. If people got into the way of contributing, they would continue to do so. He regretted very much the position in which the band found itself, particularly in view of the approaching festivities. The hand was really still in existence as a military band in connection with the 13th A.L.H. all the instruments that were being used were the property of the Sale Band. Something might be done in that direction to provide a hand for the Back to Sale Celebrations. The Governor would be here and he sincerely hoped that a band would be available. If they were not to have an abundance of music let them have a reasonable amount. He regretted that the attendance was not larger. Regarding an effort on behalf of the band he did not think it advisable to make one until after the Back to Sale celebrations were over.

Mr Burgess said the military band was only available if on parade, such as an escort.

The Mayor said he intended to make application for the band on the occasion of the Governor's visit.

Mr Burgess said the band would be available after the authority had been received from headquarters.

Mr Burrell urged that an immediate effort should be made to put the band on a proper basis. He did not believe in deferring the effort. He suggested a guarantee from a number of citizens as an alternative to carry the band over the Back to Sale festivities. He thought it a sad reflection on the citizens that the band was in the position it was.

The Mayor did not agree that there was any reflection on the citizens of Sale where the band was concerned, and referred to the fact that a short time ago £700 was raised for it. If the position was as it is, it was not due to lack of support from the citizens. The picture venture was the cause of the band's financial position.

Mr Neil said the public did not sup part the band pictures as they should. The Mayor said they could not com pel people to support pictures simply because they were run by the band. There were other reasons, including the fact that the hall was not big enough.

Continuing, the Mayor said the committee allowed the deficit to run too long before apprising the public of it. The cut should have been belled 18 months ago. However, it was no good harking back now.

Mr Burgess said the position was not fair to the bandmaster. Figures before the meeting disclosed the fact that the bandmaster was owed £150.

The Mayor said cost was with trustees of the band.

It was detailed that portion of the carnival went to liquidate an old debt. Mr Matthews pointed out that the band was in recess, it had not disbanded.

Mr Holt thought the action of the committee not fair to the town. The fact that the band had drifted so far came as a shock to the public and that the whole of the instruments had not been paid for. It was a pity that the band could not keep going until after Back to Sale week.

Mr Ray: There is no public interest in the band.

Mr Smith said that at last public meeting of the band there was only one citizen present.

Mr Matthews said they did not want to spoil the Back to Sale week. If they had gone on as they were there would have been no band at all.

Mr Wasley: Did the band approach the committee?
Mr Matthews: Not until after their meeting.
Mr Carter: The committee never came near us.
Mr Wasley: The band had representation on it.
Mr Luxford said the bandsmen did not know any more than the public.
Mr England: Nonsense.
Mr Overend said that two things stood out: one was that the band should be vested in trustees, and that the other was that the claim of Allan and Co, who were pressing for payment of their account of £80 owing on instruments should he met to prevent them foreclosing on the instruments. Regarding an appeal for the band, he ag reed with the Mayor that the present was not an opportune time for bazaar or carnival, as the ladies upon whom they depended so much had more than enough to do in connection With the Back to tale celebrations. In addition to that there was a financial depression at present which would probably be relieved in the autumn after the wool clip and the harvest. He moved that: the Borough Council be asked to act as trustees to the band, and that they bet further requested to satisfy the claim of Allan and Co.

The Mayor thought the council should be represented on the band committee, and that there should not he a majority of Playing members on the committee. (Hear, hear.) The Mayor said the council would be pleased to contribute its usual subsidy. An appeal was made to bandsmen by the speaker to make their services available during the period referred to.
 Mr J. Breheny seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr England moved that the band be asked to take on the responsibility of providing music for the Back to Sale week. He blamed the committee for al lowing the band to drift along for so long. He did not like the band presenting a pistol to the public as they had done. He hoped that members of the band would look on that as an undesirable thing and rise to the occasion next month. He referred to the very creditable attention the bandsmen had given to the duties during the active existence of the band.

Mr Wasley presented a picture of old timers returning to Sale by special train with no band to play "Home Sweet Home" to them. He thought the constitution of the band wanted looking into badly. He thought the public should have been informed soon er of the position, and they would have set about putting it in order sooner. There would be other bands invited to Sale during Back to Sale Week, and it would look bad if they had no local band. He indicated that if the celebrations were a success financially the band could expect a contribution from the committee for services rendered.

Mr Wasley moved that the resignation of the committee be accepted, and that the money in hand amounting to £16 be paid to the bandmaster towards his salary.
Mr Burrell seconded. Carried.

It was elicited that a further sum of £10 was due to the band, and it was decided to pay this also to the same source.

The Mayor closed the meeting with another appeal to bandsmen to meet and see if they could not see their way to provide a band for Back to Sale festivities, intimating to them that an appeal would be made to the public later on at a more opportune time.

Subsequently the Mayor was informed that a band would be available that week.

The committee appointed by Sale citizens to deal with the Band's affairs met on Tuesday evening and decided to pass payment of Allan & Co's. account, which stood at £8/10/, with 10 per cent interest added covering a period of 18 months.

 The firm generously agreed to forego the interest and also deducted £4/10/ off their account, accepting £80 in full settlement thereof. The committee also advanced £30 to the Bandmaster towards the liquidation of his claim. There is still a balance in hand of about £24. The Band will give a recital in the Victoria Gardens on Sunday week.