THE CORONATION HALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1042, 12 September 1911, Page 3

THE CORONATION HALL.

THE OPENING NIGHTS

A CONCERT FIRST NIGHT

MUNICIPAL BALL SECOND

NIGHT.

At last night’s Council meeting the question of the form the opening of the Coronation Hall should take was brought up.

Cr Speirs’ opinion was that the Hall should he opened in the afternoon free to the public, and everyone should be invited to go through and inspect it. The Mayor would make an opening speech and the Councillors would be present to show people through the building. In the evening some function should be held, the price of admission being such as would allow every person to attend. He suggested a concert, with a small charge for admission so as all would be able to attend. Personally he would be unable to take a leading part in taking a concert in hand, .as he had no experience in such matters, but there were others who would be quite able to get together a very good concert. If some other function was also required he suggested spreading the opening over two or three nights. Cr Adams said he was quite prepared to second Cr Speirs’ motion, if he would make it a dramatic entertainment instead of a concert.

Cr Speirs said he was quite willing. lu such case the question of who would take the profit was asked, and the Mayor said the Council required the money so obtained, to help to purchase a piano.

Cr Adams said that if the Dramatic Society put on a performance they would want .the

proceeds. Cr Stewart suggested a municipal social and dance free to all, ladies to provide supper required. Cr Carter favoured the opening of the Hall in the evening by the Mayor and then holding a concert. They could get some outside talent. If this were done the Council would get a nice little cheque out of it. The Mayor said that in case of this kind there were many things to be observed in order that no one might be barred on the score of cost of admission or nature of the entertainment. He did not think a ball was suitable. A number couldn’t afford to pay the price asked and others had ideas rather conflicting as to the suitability of such a function. A good concert, dramatic entertainment or picture show would be very suitable. He had at first favoured a picture entertainment, but it was possible that they would not have the machinery ready in time, and now he thought a concert would answer the purpose. If a ball were required it could be held the following night. Fie opposed opening the hall in the afternoon as jit would mean a great deal of work to get things straight again for the evening. Cr Rimmer thought it would be a good idea to get a good company to come and give the first entertainment in the Hall. They would be willing to pay a good price for the opening night and in that way the Council would perhaps get as much out of it as holding a concert. He didn’t agree with the idea ot opening the Hall in the afternoon. The Mayor said the first night should be a profitable one to the Council. Cr Adams did not agree with the idea of a concert. They didn’t “ go down.” He put forward the suggestion that the Hall be let to the Dramatic Society at a rental to be fixed by the Council. Cr Stewart asked if the people whose morals were offended by a Municipal Ball would not be equally offended by a dramatic show. Cr Speirs said they should get all local talent—no outsiders. There was plenty of talent in Foxton. Cr Chrystall favoured a good concert. Cr Adams thought that a municipal ball should be held on the second night. He suggested the charge should be ros 6d. The Mayor said he had asked Cr Greig, who was unable to be present on account of being out ot the district, to put any suggestions he might have in writing so that they could come before the Coun-

cil. Ct Greig, in his letter stated that he would like “to see the function made of such a nature that all sections of the community can share in it. The Hall belongs to the citizens and I should like to see each and everyone afforded an opportunity of Inspecting their property free of cost on that day. I would suggest that the opening take place on a Wednesday, that the Hall be thrown open to the public from, say, 3 to 5 p.m., and that the Mayor and Mayoress, and Councillors and their wives (or as many as can make it convenient to attend) be there to receive the visitors and show them round. I would also suggest that the local bakers be asked to serve afternoon tea in the dining room to those who desire it at the usual charge of 6d each. For the evening entertainment I think a popular concert at popular prices (say 2s and is) would be best suited to the occasion. If it is desired a dance might be held subsequently if it would not take too long to get the floor cleared and swept. I should be pleased to act on any committee that may be set up to carry out this or any similar scheme. To those who favour a ball I would suggest that the opening festivities need not be confined to one day and night, but may be spread out over a week if necessary. Those who favour a ball could secure the Hall for a night about the same time and the ball might still be considered as in connection with the opening of the Hall. I certainly think, however, that the Council’s concern should be to cater for the general public and not for any particular section of it. The charges especially should be kept low for this occasion so that no one need deny themselves the pleasure of participating on the score of expense.” There was some further discussion, and Cr Speirs altered his motion to read, that the Town Hall be opened at 7.30 p.m., and that all musical persons in the town be asked to assist, and that the charges be 3s, 2s and is, and that Mr Newman, M.P., be asked to attend the opening and that the following members constitute a concert committee : The Mayor and Crs Greig, Chrystall, Speirs and Stewart with power to add. The motion was seconded by Cr Adams and carried. It was also decided on the motion of Cr Adams, seconded by Cr Carter, that on the night following the opening a municipal ball be held, and a committee consisting of Messrs Fraser, Gibbs, Carter and Adams be appointed to arrange matters. FOR DRILL PURPOSES.

A circular letter was read from Major-General Godley, asking the Council’s co-operation in connecttion with obtaining buildings suitable for drill purposes in respect to the senior cadets and territorials. He asked that any building suitable for the purpose, under the control of the Council, should be temporarily placed at the disposal of the Department for this purpose at a peppercorn rental.

Cr Chrystall moved and Cr Carter seconded, that the Town Clerk write to the Officer Commanding at Palmerston North and state shat the Town Hall would be very tuitable for drill purposes and the Council would be willing to reduce the charge ot same to 25s per night for one night a week if taken for twelve mouths. Cr Adams said he could not support the motion. It would be impossible to get 25s a night for drill purposes. If they were going to offer the Hall they should do so on the terms suggested in the letter, viz,, a peppercorn rental. Cr Coley : "Are you in favour of giving it to them for nothing ?” Cr Adams, continuing, said personally he was not in favour of letting them have the Hall for nothing. A dancing floor was not the best place for drilling on. At the request of the Mayor the Town Clerk stated that in conversational with an officer in the Territorial Force the Hall had been mentioned and the officer advised him to communicate with the defence authorities and he bad no doubt that they would be only too pleased to rent it, and the Council might get sufficient out of the department to pay the interest on the amount expended on the hall. As to drilling injuring the dancing floor, in other places sawdust is used to protect the floor and answers the purpose particularly well.

Cr Chrystall was opposed to allowing the defence authorities to have the Hall for nothing. The Defence Department was spending half a million this year. A Councillor : Wasting it, you mean.

Cr Chrystall, continuing, said that as the department was spending this money there was no reason why Foxton shouldn’t get some of it,

Cr Speirs considered 25s was little enough to charge. The Mayor thought that 25s was a very reasonable charge. The Council should not lose any opportunities of letting the Hall. Cr Stewart was of opinion that 253 was not enough. They should ask 30s. The authorities had the money to spend and he considered 30s would not be an out-of-the-way price.

The motion on being put was carried.