THE MUNICIPAL PICTURES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1082, 13 August 1912, Page 3

THE MUNICIPAL PICTURES.

MOTION RE PRICES RESCINDED.

At last night’s Council meeting, Cr Adams, in accordance with the notice given at.the previous meeting, moved that the following motion be rescinded: "That in view of the lact that the hall will have been running twelve mouths in October, it is desirable that a year’s balance-sheet be presented when the reduction in prices can then be discussed.”

In speaking to his motion, Cr Adams said that he did not like the idea of rescinding motions immediately after they had been passed, but there were special circumstances in the present case. At the last meeting he had given notice of his intention to move at the following meeting that the prices of admission to picture shows be reduced, and alter his notice of motion had been tableJ, the resolution which he now moved should be rescinded had been sprung on the meeting and had been passed. The effect of this resolution was to practically kill his motion re prices and prevent it being discussed. This was not a fair thing. In asking that the picture prices should be reduced he had the support of a large section of the public audit was the duty of the Council to discuss same immediately. The motion was seconded by Cr Whibley. Cr Richmond thought it was only reasonable to lesciud the motion, as the majority of the people were in lavour ol reduced prices, and the Council suould, therelore, discuss the question without delay. Cr Coley was of opinion that it would be a fair thing to wait until the pictures had been running for twelve mouths before considering a reduction in prices. Another thing, if adults were to be admitted foi sixpence, children should only be charged threepence. Cr Speirs said he could not support the motion. The matter was not of such urgency that they could no. '•>!. ur two months. It was ouiv a le.isonable thing to have a year’s returns before considering the question. Further, it tne pictures were run at a loss the Councillors were liable for the detecit. Cr Adams had stated that a large number of people were asking for a reduction and he thought that if this were so the Councillor bringing the matter forward should present a petition from the people. Cr Stewart favoured settling the question of prices at once, as no good purpose would be served by waiting two or three mouths. The opinion of prominent citizens was tnat this matter should be dealt with immediately.

Cr Chrystall believed that Cr Adams had the support of the majority of the residents of Foxton, and although he was sorry to have to assist iu rescinding a motion brought forward by the late Mayor, he was iu favour ol the prices being reduced, and would, therefore, support Cr Adams.

The Mayor said he would oppose rescinding the motion on business grounds. At the end of the 12 mouths a balance-sheet would be presented showing the returns for the hall trom all sources, there would also be a full and comprehensive report from the manager 01 the hall, and when they had all the information possible Councillors would be in a position to discuss the matter iu an intelligent manner. If the balance sheet showed that the prices could be reduced men he would suppoit the reduction being made, but he-didn’t see how the Council could intelligently deal with the matter until they had all data bdore them.

Cr Adams in reply said he could not agree with Cr Speirs that a petition should be presented iu a case like the present one. He had been elected by the people aud therefore had every right to come to the table and voice the wishes of the people who put him there. It was not right for a motion to be passed practically prohibiting discussion of a motion previously tabled. He had not had a fair hearing in the matter and therefore asked that the other motion be rescinded.

On motion being put to the meeting it was carried, the voting being : For; Crs. Adams, Cbrystall, .Richmond, Stewart and Whibley ; Against: The Mayor and Crs. Coley and Speirs. ADMISSION PRICKS REDUCED. Cr Adams then moved and Cr Whibley seconded, that the town hall prices lor picture entertainments be reduced to 1 one shilling lor circle and sixpence lor auditorium. In speaking to the motion the mover said the hall had been built for the healthy recreation ol the people and possibly to provide a certain revenue. He contended that if the Council had stated, at the time the loan proposal was brought forward, that they intended monopolising the building, and “bleeding” the people in the matter of admission charges, the loan would never have been sanctioned. He went into figures at some length to prove that the reduction suggested by him could be made and the pictures still pay their way. He admitted that there were ratepayers opposed to a reduction in prices, but these people never attended the pictures and they wanted the revenue fronjAhe Hall to be used to reduce their rates. To reduce the prices would mean an increased attendance and also be the means ol warding off opposition.

Cr Cbrystall moved as au amendment that the prices of admission to picture entertainments be reduced to one shilling to the stalls and ninepence tor the pit ; Children threepence. Cr Stewart, in seconding the amendment, said he agreed with Cr Adams that it would be a good thing to reduce the but he could not see eye to eye with him as to the amount of the reduction. His reduction was too drastic, and be considered the prices stated in the amendment were fair and reasonable. He understood that those who were in the habit of going to the circle were not op-

posed to paying the present charges. Cr Richmond supported the motion, saying that be would like to see the prices for children fixed at sixpence upstairs and threepence downstairs.

Cr Speirs supported the amendment. He considered the present charge of is 6d for the circle should be retained as it was always full. One shilling was plenty for the stalls and he wouldn’t mind reducing the price to the pit to sixpence later on. , The Mayor said he would suppor the amendment. They had no data before them as to the returns from the hall and to make the reduction proposed by Cr Adams, would be taking too big a step in the dark.

Cr Adams replied and on the matter being put to the meeting the amendment was carried, the voting being: For the amendment, the Mayor and Crs Chrystal, Coley, Stewart, and Speirs ; for the motion, Crs Adams, Richmond, and Whibley. The new prices will take effect from Saturday next.