NEW THEATRE.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 151, 27 November 1874, Page 3

NEW THEATRE.

An adjourned meeting of those favorable to the formation of a company for the erection of a new theatre was held at Mr C. Clark’s rooms on Thursday afternoon. Present —Sir C, Wilson, Messrs L. Walker, Bennington, C. Clark, Ross, H. A. Davis, Wynn Williams, W. R. Mitchell, G. B. Allen, Strouts. Hadfield, H ,E. Nathan, W. Schmidt, L. E. Nathan, Beatty, G. Stead, and R. D. Thomas. On the motion of Mr Mitchell, Sir Cracroft Wilson took the chair. The chairman said that as in the absence of his Honor the Superintendent he had been moved to the chair, he would now ask Mr Allen to aay what be had done.

Mr Allen said that he had about £2OOO on his list of shares subscribed for, but he might say that there was a general disinclination to take shares until the question of the site was settled. All he had spoken to were strongly in favor of the project; but. the question of the site stood in the way of their taking shares. This once sett led, there would be no difficulty in getting the shares taken up. Mr Clark said that Mr Hart wonld give four entrances into the Theatre, and would erect the approaches to the Theatre in High street, and let the land required according to the architect’s plan for thirty years, at a rental of £250 per annum. He thought that this was not an extraordinary rental when it was considered that Mr Hart gave four entrances, and also erected the front of the Theatre in High street. At present, Mr Hart received a rental of £350 per annum, so that they would see that the rental was not so extravagant as had been considered. Sir Cracroft said that he had been told that it was better for them first to settle the basis upon which the company should be started. [Hear.] He would now ask the hon secretary to read the prospectus. Mr Wynn Williams then read the prospectus of the proposed company and said that it would be wise that they should understand upon what grounds they were going, so that the company might fairly start. He had found that a large number of persons objected to the building being placed upon a leasehold site. It was wished to have the theatre in a respectable locality, and he might say that for years past it had been impossible to go to the present theatre, except on special occasions, out of personal regard for those performing. As to the present theatre he might say without offence to anyone that he never had seen a worse place, and the great majority of persons had a decided objection to take up shares if the site were placed behind the White Hart Hotel—or in a similar place. What they had to do was to see that the new theatre was placed in a respectable locality. After some further conversation, Mr L. Walker suggested that a share list should be at once opened, and the names of those who were willing to take shares in serted thereon. They would then have something tangible to go upon, as at present they were a uon-exis l eut body. [Hear, hear.J Mr Williams said that, if the meeting elected Mr Stead treasurer, they would, while seeing that due publicity was given, see that no money was spent wastefully. The share list was then signed by the majority of those present. The Colonial Bank was named as the bankers of the company. Mr G. Stead was elected as treasurer of the company. Mr H. B. Nathan suggested that a committee should ho appointed to search for a site to report to an adjourned meeting. So soon as the site was known, the shares would be taken up quickly. The number of shares applied for at the meeting amounted to 223. The provisional directors were instructed to make enquiries as to sites, and to report at next meeting. Several sites were laid before the meeting, but as the matter had been remitted to the provisional directors 'for their consideration, it was determined not to go into the question of site at that meeting. The hon secretary was instructed to advertise for offers of sites, and the meeting adjourned.