MUNICIPAL SKAKING RINK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1025, 30 March 1912, Page 3

MUNICIPAL SKAKING RINK.

IN CORONATION HALL

COMMENCES NEXT THURS-

DAY,

A special meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Council Chamber last night to discuss the question of the advisability or otherwise of running skating in the Coronation Hall. There were present : His Worship the Mayor (G. H. Stiles Esq.), and Crs. Adams. Coley, Greig Richmond, Stewart, Speirs and Gibbs. The Mayor stated that he had called the meeting for the purpose of discussing what appeared to be a very important proposal, that of establishing a skating rink for the winter months in connection with the Coronation Town Hall. He had pleasure in moving the following resolution : That the Council decide to run a skating rink during the winter months in the Coronation Town Hall and that Mr Fraser be instructed to proceed to Wellington to make the best arrangements regarding the purchasing of new and second-hand skates as may be required. Cr Coley seconded the resolution.

In speaking to the motion the Mayor said bis object in bringing the resolution forward and starting a skating rink was in order to utilise the Town Hall during the winter months as much as possible. During these months the Hall should not be vacant on any night, and if they bad pictures two nights and skating two or three nights the Hall would not remain idle much. Further, if the Council did not establish a rink be understood others were prepared to do so. The Council had a line hall, plenty of floor space and ample accommodation for onlookers, and therefore it would not be a very costly undertaking. He was convinced that the rink would pay the rental of the hall and It was possible they would get a good revenue besides. The purchase of the skates would be the chief outlay. They could perhaps get a number ot secondhand skates, which would be suitable, and mean a saving on the price paid for new ones of about 7s 6d per pair- He would suggest that the Town Clerk should go to Wellington for the purpose of selecting suitable skates. As to the details in connection with the rink, fixing of prices etc., a small committee could be set up or it could perhaps be left In the hands of the manager. The sooner the project materalised the better. A number of people he had spoken to strongly supported the proposal, and he believed they would have a really good season. He considered the proposal was in the best interests of the ratepayers generally, there was no harm in the amusement, and it would no doubt attract the young fellows off the street and give them healthy amusement. He suggested that a commencement should be made towards the latter end of next week and also that they should keep the charges down as low as possible and thus induce people to attend. Cr Stewart asked if skating would not spoil the Hoar for danclug. The Mayor said that if fibre rollers were used be did not think it would damage the floor at all Then, again, if the project was a financial success they would be able to afford to repair the floor if necessary.

Cr Gibbs : “If it does the floor much damage we can stop.” Cr Adams said he was quite in accord with all that bad been said by the Mayor. He thought they were doing the right thing and that it would he a remunerative undertaking. He considered they would not only get the rental of the hall, but a good revenue besides and he would support the motion.

Cr Stewart said that on general lines he thought the proposition was a good one, and among other things it would stave off competition. He had heard there was a possibility ol two others starting something of the kind and it they went as far as to erect halls there was a possibility of them also going into the picture line, and thus interfere with the Council’s present revenue. However, if the Council undertook the running of a skating rink, there was very little likelihood of anyone else putting up a hall and it was therefore desirable that the Council should go on with the rink. Cr Richmond supported the motion. He had no doubt it would be a success provided the charges were not too high. He knew that the others who proposed starting intended to cut the prices down so, therefore, the Council should only make a fair charge. Rinking would not injure the floor, in fact it would do it good, and it would not make any difference whether fibre or steel rollers were used.

Cr Speirs was of opinion that they should get the best skates procurable. So far everything in connection with the hall had been of the best and they should follow this rule in connection with the skates.

Cr Gibbs supported the motion and was also of opionion that they should procure the best skates possible, because if they had inferior skates people would not attend.

Cr Chrystall also supported the motion. He did not think they had much to fear from a rival hall, as the Coronation Hall belonged to the ratepayers and if if they h oked at it in the right light they would certainly support

Jheir own ball in preference to a privately-owned one. The Mayor said that 'the only expense outside >purchase of the skates would be a man in charge of the floor, ticket-seller, etc. He did not know himself exactly how many men would be required, but Mr McArtney had informed him that he had managed a rink on the Coast, and he had therefore asked him to attend the meetlug for the purpose of supplying any information required. Mr McArtney considered the rink could be run by three men and a boy.

The motion was then put and carried unanimously^. It was further decided on the motion of the Mayor seconded by Cr Richmond, that the opening night be Thursday, April 4th. The Council went into Committee to discuss all the minor details-

It was resolved to purchase 70 pairs of skates, 50 of which are to be ball bearing, and the balance plain bearing for the use ol beginners.

It uas also decided that the rink should be open three nights a week, the arrangement of the particular nights to be left in the hands of the manager.

The charges in connection with the rink were fixed as follows : admission, sixpence; skates: ladies, sixpence; gents, one shilling. The prices of season and monthly tickets were left in the hands of the Skating Rink Committee, who are to couler with the manager. The Mayor and Cr. Adams were appointed a skating rink committee.

It was pointed out that the hall would be available for letting for other entertainments on any night with the exception of the nights used fur pictures and that skatiug would only take place wheu the Hall was vacant.