WANGANUI JOTTINGS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1352, 1 February 1912, Page 3

WANGANUI JOTTINGS.

OPERA HOUSE LOAN IDEA. 18/ Tdeeraph.—Bticcial CorrejnoiideHt.l Wanganui,.January 31. According to the annual report; of the Wanganui-Napier-Tarannki Railway Sick Benefit.Society, four of the eight deaths among members during .the. past year were caused by • accident, "which," continues the report, "is responsible for one-third of the society's' expenditure. On account of the increased traffic railway work has become more arudous and exacting, with the result that accidents are more frequent than formerly." In connection with the competitive designs for the Wanganui Y.M.C.A.'s new building, tho committee has decided to ask the president of tho New Zealand Institute of Architects to suggest the names of three'gentlemen to act as assessors. , Tho Wanganui Borough Council last night decided to submit to the ratepayers a proposal to raise a loan of .£25,000 for the purpose of building' a' new opera house, combined with an.office and municipal chambers. It is proposed to lease the present Opera House permanently as a picture theatre, and to let the present offices to private tenants. There was a long discussion on the proposal, opposition being shown to it by some councillors on account of the" fact that private syndicates are building two new theatres in the town. One of the councillors, who is a member of one of these syndicates, was very pronounced in his opposition to the council's scheme, which he characterised as an interference with private enterprise. It was retorted upon him that private enterprise proposed to interfere with the council's existing business. The motion to submit the loan to tho ratepayers was carried'eventually by five votes to three.