FOXTON’S REQUIREMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 463, 29 June 1909, Page 2

FOXTON’S REQUIREMENTS.

The necessity for a Public Hail in Foxton has been the theme of several articles in this journal. A majority of the present Council arc in Javour of such a building, and we believe a majority of ratepayers would sanction a loan for a Town Hall, if given the opportunity. When in Greylown last week our representative had the pleasure of inspecting the Town Hall there, accom-. pauied by Cr A. E. Webster, a member of the Hall Committee. The hall has a very imposing appearance, and is built of wood, and occupies a frontage of 60ft. It will accommodate 800 to 1000 people. The dress circle takes the form of a large gallery which ironls the stage and continues round either wall. Portions of the circle near the stage are so much waste space, except for witnessing anything that is taking place on the floor of the hall, as it is impossible to see on to the stage. This should have been in the form of a semi-circle. Ladies’ and gentlemen’s cloak and dressing rooms are provided, and spacious stairways provide , ample entrance and .exit. The floor of the hall is level, and can be used for dances, flower shows, etc. Dressing rooms and ticket offices are also provided. The stage acaccommodation, scenery, dressing rooms, lavatorieSj lighting acoustic, properties, etc,, are all first-class. All the scene shifting is manipulated from overhead. Septic tanks deal with drainage. The building, scenery, piano, seating, etc., cost about For the first year the full rate on the loan was called up, but this year it has been reduced by id in the £. Since the hall was erected, first-class companies have visited the town, and an effort is now being made to im

duce the Williamson propretary to include Greytown in its itenerary. A certain section, to be found in every community, opposed the movement, but the majority are proud, and justly so, of their fine building, which is an ornament to the town- Greytown has a population of about 1200, as against Foxton’s 1500. Many people will argue that there is no uecessity for the erection of a local Public Hall, but we challenge any one to prove that any other town in the Dominion the size of Foxton is so wretchedly served with a Public Hall. Others say the local governing authority can refuse to grant a license for the use of the local Public Hall, until certain alterations are effected to the existing building. It is true they have that power, but the alterations suggested would not give the town what is required. We urge the Council, when laying the water and drainage loan before the public meeting, to give the ratepayers a chance of voting on three important proposals: (i) Water and drainage; (2) Purchase of the Gas Works ; (3) erection of a Town Hall. The loans are all of a reproductive nature, and Will in time be self-supporting and revenue-producing. While we are about it let us go “the whole hog.”