The Globe. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1874.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 161, 10 December 1874, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1874.

The Provisional Committee of the new Theatre Company met on Tuesday, and it would appear, from the report of the proceedings, that there ought to be very little difficulty in obtaining a site for the proposed building. It is, we think, evident that two theatres would not pay, at present, in Christchurch, and it is not to be expected that the proprietors, or lessees, of the present theatre, would give up without a struggle. The new company, if they obtained a suitable site, would be_ working their speculation in opposition to the present theatre, and the result would most probably be that neither of these places of amusement would pay. If however an amalgamation of forces was agreed upon, it would be quite within the bounds of possibility that a first-class theatre, suitable to the wants of the town could be erected, with a fair chance of paying the shareholders a dividend on the capital invested. Messrs Baylee and Beattie made an offer, through Mr John Ollivier, to the new company, and have Bhown thereby their readiness to meet the wishes of the community. It is possible that the offer will require to be modified in various ways, but this is mere matter of detail, and it is to be hoped that the new committee will, if they can see their way, meet Messrs Baylee and Beattie with a proposal which shall be fair to both parties. The question of a good entrance to the new building is of course most important, as we believe that nmDy

people are now deterred from visiting our present theatre in consequence of the surroundings of the entrance. These objections will vanish if the proposed right of way from Cathedral Square can be arranged for, and an entrance to the boxes and dress circlo would there be free from the drawbacks which at present attend a visit to the theatre. It is very evident, from the amount asked for sites in Christchurch, that landowners have a very great idea of the value of their property, and we thiuk that the committee of the new Theatre Company are more likely to " go further and fare worse," if they neglect the chance which is now held out to them. The company may have to wait months before they could obtain a suitable site, at anything like a reasonable price, while here they have a situation that will serve for the erection of a building, that will satisfy all requirements for many years to come, ready to their hand. If they let the chance slip by, they will probably be led into delay, and consequent expense, that may render the successful floating of the company a matter of difficulty.