MUNICIPAL PICTURE ENTERPRISE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1074, 25 July 1912, Page 3

MUNICIPAL PICTURE ENTERPRISE.

REDUCTION IN PRICES OF ADMISSION SUGGESTED.

Cr Stewart brought up the question of a reduction in the charges ol admission to the picture shows at Tuesday’s Council meeting. It had been suggested that the prices should be : Dress circle is, stalls gd, and pit 6d, but he thought is 6a, is and 6d would be satisfactory to all. The argument had been used that the revenue from the hall should be used in reducing the general rate, but he did not think this was right. The majority of the people who attended the shows were not ratepayers and they should receive consideration in the way of a reduction in the prices. There was some talk of another hall being erected, to which the charges of admission would be lower. He was strougly of opinion that a reduction in the present prices was desirable.

The Mayor said he had had the matter in mind for some time and had mentioned it to the manager of the hall and also to Cr Adams, and he had proposed bringing it up at the present meeting. There should certainly be some lednction made. . As there ,vv such a small meeting he thought it would be ...ivisable to allow the question to stand over until the next monthly meeting, but he was certainly of opinion that the time had arrived when a reduction could well be made. They were making a very good thing oht of the hall and did not want to “ bleed ” the people. Cr Adams strongly supported a reduction, saying he would favour is, gd and 6d. He also thought the charge made at present for bo iking scats should be abolished and patrons given the opportunity of booking their scats without extra charge. Crs Stewart and Adams also suggested the Council should take some steps to make the picture shows and skating evenings more attractive. The former stated he had been informed that an orchestra could be organised without any great cost. It was a matter that could well be considered. Cr Adams mentioned that when the pictures were first started it was proposed to run periodical “star” programmes, but nothing had come of it. He thought that a “star” film should be screened at regular intervals.