NEED OF THEATRE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 148, 8 June 1935, Page 9

NEED OF THEATRE

Napier Competitions Society LOSS ON LAST FESTIVAL An interim financial statement by the secretary of the Napier Competitions Society, shows a serious loss at the festival held at Easter time.

Last night the executive of the society held a meeting to discuss the general situation. Accounts totallliug £337 2/5 were passed lor payment. A pro forma statement of receipts and expenditure presented by the secretary showed a serious loss over the last festival amounting to £62 14/2. Entry fees were £9 less than last year but this was more than compensated by the saving in prize money of £l6, consequent on deleting the Highland and National dancing from the festival. The takings during the festival at Napier were £4O less than 1934, and the demonstration takings £lO less. The Hastings demonstration was the wonst ever experienced, only £l9 15/6 being taken. The falling off in the Napier receipts was attributed to the tact that two more picture theatres were operating in Napier now, and the seating at the Foresters’ Hall and the height of the stage detracts from the pleasure of spectators. The falling off in the attendance at Hastings was unaccountable, as the magnificent theatre was still available, but the audiences each year for some time had shown a steady decline. As a society had just been formed in Hastings, it was hoped that more interest would have been shown in the demonstration there, but this was not forthcoming. Copies of the statement of receipts and expenditure are to l«* sent to each member of the Napier Borough Council, pointing out the urgent necessity for a theatre or hall suitable for local requirements. The Napier society is the oldest in the Dominion with the exception of Dunedin, and if this sorry state of affairs continued it would only be a matter of a year or two before the society would have to go into recess. The secretary and other paid oificialihave accepted half of their usual fees for the last four years, while the stage manager and others give their cervices absolutely free. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to the judges at the recent festival for the generous treatment and kindly consideration shown to the society.