Gloucester Citizen 13th April 1910.

CORNET THAT WOULDN’T PLAY LIBERAL TUNES.

At Grimsby, on Tuesday, Charles Emptage, a cornet player, sued Joe Cavee, the conductor of the Grimsby Rinkeries orchestra for 3 pounds 10 shillings wages in lieu of notice.

The plaintiff said that while playing during the time the people were gathering to hear Mr Lloyd George speak on the day of the Grimsby election, the second cornet player wore a big Liberal favour.

The plaintiff, Charles James Emptage thereupon stuck on his own music stand a card “Vote for Doughty” and he was subsequently dismissed without notice.

The defence was that the plaintiff was dismissed because he was under the influence of drink. He was asked to lead the singing but refused, saying, “My cornet is a Conservative cornet and it won’t play Liberal tunes.

“When told to take a fortnight’s notice, he dismissed himself on the spot.

The production of the Doughty card at the Liberal gathering annoyed the audience considerably.

A verdict was given for the defendant.

Notes:

Charles James Emptage, son of William Henry Emptage and Betsy (Hockney), was born in Grimsby on the 25th July 1863. Charles married Charlotte Haywood on the 15th March 1885 and from 1885 to 1908 they had 13 children.

Charles James played cornet for many years and at one time was a bandsman aboard the S.S. Orontes sailing from England to Australia.