TOWN HALL COMPANY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1066, 5 October 1883, Page 2

TOWN HALL COMPANY.

There was not a very large attendance of shareholders in the above Company at the annual meeting held yesterday, Mr Bullock occupied the chair. The Chairman in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet said that he was sorry to say that there was not a very pleasant story to tell concerning the profits made by the Company. Speaking of the alterations the Directors had in view he said that a piece of ground at the rear of the building had been procured on satisfactory terms from Mr Shearman. It was purposed to erect an extension of the stage, but : he might say that this was only a part of a complete plan which had been prepared on the lines of the new theatre at Timaru, the final object being to replace the present building by a brick structure, which would be a credit to so important a town as Ashbu ton. The estimated cost of the work was L 1 ,300, and the Directors wished to learn the views cf the shareholders on the subject. Mr Purnell seconded the adoption of the jreport and balance-sheet, which was carried.

Messrs Shearman, Anderson, and Bullock were re-elected Directors of the Company, and Messrs Boyle and Gundry were again chosen to fill the office of auditors.

A conversational discussion took place respecting the proposed alterations to the Hall, and Mr Purnell moved—“ That the Directors be recommended to take the necessary steps for winding up the Company/’ In speaking to the motion, he said that it had been shown that even when there was no competition the Hall did not return a profit, and it was not likely the Company would do better now that another place of amusement had been built, and that place a very excellent one. It was in the highest degree patriotic for the people of Ashburton to provide a hall in the early days, when no other building was procurable for entertainments, but that time had passed. All things considered he was of opinion that the best thing to do was to wind up the Company. Mr Robinson seconded the motion, which was carried. The meeting then adjourned.