THE TOWN HALL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2716, 10 March 1916, Page 6

THE TOWN HALL

'AND PATRIOTIC GATHERINGS. At th'e_ meeting of the City Council last evening the Finance Committee reported:—, ■ "That they have agreed to allow the Shakespearean Tercentenary Festival Committee the use of the Town Hall on May 3, 4, and 5, provided one-half of the net proceeds, which such committee state will he devoted to war purposes, is donated to the "Mayor's Imperii Patriotic Fund. This stipulation is to he made' a general rule in all cases where the use of the Town Hall or Concert Chamber is granted free for patriotic purposes." Councillor T. Bush objected to the final part of the clauae, as, in his opinion, it opened.the way for abusos under the guise of patriotism. He did not object to the Tercentenary people having use of the hall, but certainly objected to the general principle being adopted. If the Town Hall wan not worth its rent, it was not worth much. He moved, that the clause bo referred back. Councillor A. Voitch also objected to the clause, and thought that they should givo half the gross, not the not, proceeds. Councillor X(. F. Luckle said that tl>o Whole trouble was caused by the fact that tho council was always to accept half the net proceeds instead of tho gross proceeds, >vhich prevented tho council knowing anything about tho expenses. It meant that the council was giving the. amount of the rent and getting no credit for it. . Councillor John Hutcheson thought tho clause should be referred back. He objected to people begging for the use of the hall m tho name of patriotism. Lot tho promoters, who received the honour and glory of it, como with their: cash in hand for tho rent, and Jet it be for tho council to say whether it will give the samo back to the funds. Councillor J'rost thought the amount to lie given should be half tho gross procectita. The Mayor said that the City hud its obligations to theso patriotic gatherings, which had to be financed. The amendment that the second part of the clanso be reforjreel back was carried. The first pint of the clause was agreed to.