NAPIER'S NEW THEATRE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 53, 25 November 1937, Page 13

NAPIER'S NEW THEATRE

Foundation Stone Laid By Mayoress BUILDING COSTS £53,000 The foundation stone of Napier 's new Municipal Theatre was laid yesterday afternoon by the Mayoress, Mrs C. O. Morse, and tho Mayor unveiled the foundation stone of the old theatre, which is being incorporated in the new building. On the site of the old theatre, which was destxoyed by the earthquake, in Tennyson street, the new building is now taking definite shape. On account of the wet weather, yesterday's ceremony was a brief one. Mr Mor'se paid tribute to those who had established the old theatre, and said he regretted that Mr J. Vigor Brown had not been abL to accept an 1 invitation to unveil the old stone. The speaker thereupon unveiled it, expressing the hope that no catastrophe would come to remove it from its new restingplace, and that those who were left of the people responsible for the establishment of the former theatre would be pleased with the present efforts towaras reinstatement. Mrs Morse then accepted a silvet trowel from the architeet, Mr J. T. Watson, and proceeded to lay the foundation stone. The Mayor then announced that, although the huilding would cost £53,000 to complete, the doors would be opened free of debt. He welcomed visitors who attended the ceremony, and called upon Mr A. I. Rainbow, deputy-Mayor of Hastings, to say a few words. Hastings apologised for the una/voidable absence of the Mayor of Hastings, Mr G. A. Maddison, Mr Rainbow thanked the Napier officials for having I invited Hastings to be representea, and said that he considered it fltting that companions in the catastrophe of 1931 should meet again on this occasion. He congratulated Napier on having built a new town on the ashes of 1931, gomething that had been widely recognised, overseas as well as in New Zealand,

as a very wonderful performance. Mr J. Williamson, chairman of the Taradale Town Board, also spoke. Apologies wero received from the Bishop of Waiapu, the Rt. Rev. H. Williams, the Hon. "W. E. Barnard, M.P., and Mr T. M. Geddis, chairman of the Napier Harbour Board. Mr Barnard offered his congratulations in the following letter to the Mayor: — "The commencement of the theaJtre, which the laying of the foimdation stone indicates, will be a source of satisf action and,. pleasure to the citizens of Napier. The need of an adequate building within whieh larger functions may be carried out, and in which the citizens may assemble in

numbers, has been keenly felt for a long time. The sooner the theatre is erected the better for the convenience of the people and the progress of the city. I desire to congratulate the J Mayoress, yourself, the councillors and the citizens upon the commencement of I the new theatre, which will be in keep- I ing with the architectural development j of the new Napier." I