TURUA PUBLIC HALL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5479, 25 September 1929, Page 3

TURUA PUBLIC HALL

MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. THE YEAR’S OPERATIONS. The third annual meeting of shareholders of the Turua Public Hall, Ltd., was held on Monday evening, Mr A. H. Rogers, chairman of directors, presiding. Annual Report. The annual report for the year ended June 30, 1929, showed that the year’s operations resulted in a small loss of £2O 19s 6d, though the liberal sum of £l4O 8s Id had been written off for depreciation, £23 for preliminary expenses. The hall lettings had not proved so profitable as the two previous years, and there had been a slight falling-off in picture takings.. Owing to the Tuesday nights’ pictures not being well patronised the directors decided to cut these out during the months of June, July and August. Throughout the small towns, and in country districts there have been signs of depression in the picture business during the past year. The directors are hopeful of being able to arrange a couple of good concerts during the coming year. In accordance with the articles of association Messrs. J. M. Mules, S. G. Williams and W. Madgwick retired by rotation froni ‘ the board of directors. They again offer their services. The trading account showed receipts from pictures, hall hire, slides and rent of shop amounting to £llO5 0s 6d. Film rentals and expenses in connection with the pictures amounted to £541 Is 7d, wages £154, and light and power £23 9s 7d, leaving a profit on the working account of £386 9s 4d. The profit and loss account showed payments for rates, bank interest, depreciation, income tax, etc., amounting to £407 8s lOd, arid thus a loss on the operations of the company for the year of £2O 19s 6d. The balance-sheet showed that the paid up capital was £7BB. The assets included : Land £9O, buildings and property £1976 15s, seating, furnishings, piano, picture machine, etc., £714 15s, and sundry items, bringing the valuation of the assets to £2984 Ils lid.

In moving the adoption of the report and statement of accounts the chairman of directors, Mr A. H. Rogers, reviewed the year’s operations, and explained that the loss shown was practically a bookkeeping loss, owing to the entries for depreciation and for preliminary expenses. ■ It had been a bad year for entertainments generally, and the Turua Hall Company was not alone in this respect. It was a sign of the times, but the indications were for an improvement. The state of the picture industry throughout the country was shown by the secretary, who read extracts from film exhibitors’ publications showing that the cost of film rental absorbed the greater part of the gross takings. In the case of special pictures the charges had proved in numerous cases to be 150 per cent, of the gross takings. A shareholder suggested that the company explain the position in regard to film rentals to the local M. P. with a view to legislation to control the matter, which was one affecting the people in country districts. Directors. Mr J. T. Davies nominated Messrs. J. M. Mules, S. G. Williams and W. Madgwick for re-election to the directorate, and there being no further nominations they were declared elected. Mr F. S. Battley was re-appointed auditor Concerts. The chairman mentioned that the directors had discussed the matter of arranging some first-class concerts. It was a very difficult matter to arrange, but the directors would give it close attention. Thanks. Mr J. T. Davies expressed the thanks of shareholders to the directors for their work during the year. It was not due to them that the year had shown a small loss, and their work had obviously been for the welfare of the company and for the district.