THE MUNICIPAL PICTURES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1062, 28 October 1911, Page 2

THE MUNICIPAL PICTURES.

TO BE RUN WEEKLY

ALTERNATE WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS.

MATINEES SATURDAY AFTERNOONS.

At the special meeting of the Borough Council held on Thursday evening, the question of what night should be fixed for the municipal picture show was discussed.

The Mayor said that at a previous meeting it had been practically agreed that the pictures should be shown every Saturday night, but he thought there were certain features that should be considered first. He thought the business people in the Main Street had a right to consideration from a business point of view, and they should also be afforded an opportunity of seeing the pictures. It the entertainments were held on Saturday nights it would mean that the business people would be debarred from attending. From a purely financial point of view he believed that Saturday would be the best night, but they should consider all classes of the community. A suggestion had been made that they should have alternate nights, but he was of opinion that it would be better to have a fixed night, and suggested Wednesday. Cr Stewart said he had given the matter considerable thought, as ou going down the street on the previous Saturday night he had found there was practically no one about, and the reason was they were all at the picture show. The argument had been used that it was not lair to the trades people that thay should not have an opportunity of seeing the pictures, • and also that if these entertainments were held every Saturday night it would materially interfere with their businesses. He also favoured Wednesday night. Cr Greig said that as the hall was a municipal one and the Council was, managing it for the ratepayers, they should be considered. He thought that while the pictures were new, matinees could be held on Satuiday afternoons. If this were done a great number of country people would come in and bring then children. Halt-past ten at night was too late to keep children up. He felt sure that the matinees would pay well.

Cr Carter also favoured Saturday afternoon matinees. He thought it was a pity that shows could not sometimes be held ou Saturday nights as there were a great number of people who would attend on that night, but would be unable to be present if the entertainments were held ou Wednesday nights, Cr Coley considered that the best houses would be obtained ou Saturday nights, but to get out of the difficulty he suggested alternate Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Cr Adams said if the Council did not take Saturday nights then other companies would come on that night, so that business would be interlered with just the same. The ratepayers should certainly be considered, but he was of opinion that they should have some Saturday night shows. Cr Speirs was against excluding every Saturday night He did not think the entertainments would interfere with business at all as the people would get their goods some other time it they did not get them on Saturday night. He considered that a lot of people would be better in the hall than hanging about elsewhere. Personally he strongly favoured Saturday nights, with occasional Wednesday shows. Alternate Wednesdays and Saturdays would cause confusion. He would sup port showing every Saturday night and also on Wednesday nights, fortnightly.

Cr Gibbs favoured Saturda night, but would agree to alternate nights. To make the hall pay it would take £8 per week-, and to do this should be the first duty, and they should not allow anything else to enter into the discussion. They must consider the matter from a financial point of view, and therefore put on their picture shows ou the nights that would give the best returns. He agreed with Cr Speirs that a lot ot people would be better in the Hall than in some other places.

The Town Clerk said that one question that had to be taken into consideration was that of companies engaging the Hall, and therefore it was imperative that the Council should fix a definite night for the picture show. The Mayor thought that alternate Wednesday and Saturday nights would meet the case fairly. Cr Greig said he thought the Councillors had lost sight of the tact that it was not necessary to run picture shows at night only. A good deal o 1 the revenue would come from women and children, and a great number of people would attend in the afternoons who wouldn’t attend at night. He moved that evening picture entertainments be held weekly alternately on Wednesdays and Saturdays and matinees every Saturday afternoon at 2.30 o’clock. This was seconded by Hr Adams and carried.