CONCERT HALL.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19176, 6 December 1927, Page 16

CONCERT HALL.

SCALE OF CHARGES.

SCHEDULE AGREED TO. Information concerning the • scale of charges for and conditions of hiring the new Concert Hall was contained in a report made by the Concert Hall Committee to the City Council last night. The report was as follows: Having consideration to the charges made for the use of other halls and theatres in the City, and also those made for the use of municipal concert halls in other centres, the committee recommends that the following schedule of charges for the hire of the new hall be adopted:— Evening concerts—7 p.m. to 11 p.m., general charge £ls; local musical societies to be allowed a reduction of 20 per cent., with a further reduction of 20 per cent, for charity concerts, when all personal services are rendered without fee, and the whole of the proceeds are devoted to a charitable object.

Sunday Evening Concerts—7 p.m. to 10 p.m., &5 ss. Matinees—Touring companies, etc., :;9. Day-time Meetings.—lo a.m. to 1 p.m., £3. 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., £6. It is also recommended that the following general conditions of hiring be agreed upon:—Engagements of all kinds i'or three or more consecutive days subject to 10 per cent, reduction. All engagements must be paid for in advance, or booking not accepted. The Mayor or Council may by written notice under tho hand of the Town Clerk veto any engagement should the hall be required for purposes of a national or civic character, and return any fees paid. Sub-letting absolutely prohibited under all circumstances.

The Mayor, Town Clerk, and hallkeeper to have the right of admission at all times, but not to be entitled to any seat or privilege beyond personal admission as executive and administrative officials.

No nails, tacks, or screws to be driven in anj of the woodwork. Advertisement boards allowed only at the discretion of the Town Clerk. It is clearly intimated that tho Council is not in any way responsible for any damage to or loss of any property whatsoever placed in hall by hirer.' No meetings except for Church services allowed on Sundays unless by spjeial permission. With a view to giving effect to the suggestion that a combined musical festival should be arranged in connexion with the opening of the hall, the Committee has communicated with the various musical societies in the City asking if they are prepared to discuss the matter.

Cr. G. Manning drew attention to the omission of Sunday evening meetings and week-day meetings in the schedule, suggesting that Sunday evening meetings from 7 to 10 should be charged for at the rate of £4 4s, and week-day meetings from 7 to 10 ■at the rate of £lO. lie also suggested consideration of copyrighting programmes. Cr. J. W. Beanland, chairman of the Committee, agreed that theso points should be taken back for consideration. Cr. Carr moved that during the opening week Professor Shelley be asked to arrange for a repeat performance of one of the dramatic entertainments given by the Canterbury College Dramatic Society in the Little Theatre. The motion was seconded by Cr. Or. Manning. The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) said it should not be forgotten that there was a great difference between a combined musical festival and a group of amateurs. It was decided that the matter should be the subject of a discussion between the Committee and Professor Shelley. The report as amended was adopted.