PICTURE PRICES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1062, 11 February 1913, Page 3

PICTURE PRICES.

MOTION FOR REDUCTION DEFEATED.

At last night’s Council meeting, in accordance with notice previously given, Cr Hannah moved that the prices be reduced to the picture entertainments, and that the prices be, stalls and pit sixpence, dress circle is, and children half-price to all parts of the hall. The mover said that the people had been expecting a reduction for some time—the previous one being farcical. At the time the hall was built it was stated that the revenue from it would be used in order to reduce the rates, and be contended the best way to dear with the matter would be to reduce the admission charges, Cr Adams, who seconded the motion, said it would soon not be a case of would they reduce the prices, but they would be compelled to do so. The proper time to have done so was undoubtedly previous to the commencement of the building of another hall, and although it was now a little late, it was better to make the reduction before the other picture show was started. He understood that in Auckland and Wellington in some picture houses the charge was threepence to all parts. Eighteen pence was too much altogether lor the class of show given. Foxton was only a small place, and they wanted the patrons to attend every night, but to expect people to pay is 6d twice a week was too much. Again, the programmes submitted were not as good as they should be—they weren’t getting their money’s worth. Again, the music at the shows was very poor indeed.

Cr Whibley supported the motion. It had been said before that the hall was not paying, and even that night, in his report on the hall balance-sheet, the Town Clerk said that as good a return could not be expected for the current year. It, was the same old bogey all the time. Would anyone argue that the ratepayers, in supporting the loan, expected the hall to pay 20 per cent, on the capital invested ? That was what it had done during the past twelve months. Was the same policy as was being pursued in connection with the hall to be'followed in the matter of the gas works ? Was it the intention of the Council to make consumers pay the present price for gas until the works were paying as well as the Town Hall ? He hoped Councillors would see their way to support the motion. Cr Speirs said he would not support the motion. Not that he , thought the pictures being shown were really good, because he considered they were * bad. He had recently attended a picture entertainment in Napier, and the Foxton pictures could not be compared with those shown there. He had made enquiries, and found that the people there did not stick to one firm of film hirers, but were dealing with as many as five. He thought the Council was making a mistake in keeping to the one firm. He did not consider the present prices were too high, although he would be agreeable to reducing the price of the pit to sixpence. The charges in Napier were is 6d. is and 6d. They expected the hall to pay a little more than working expenses, and there might be some extra expense again next year. He would like to see the forms at the back of the hall replaced by chairs. Cr Chrystall would not support the motion, but would vote to reduce the price of the pit to sixpence. They were giving a firstclass entertainment to their patrons, and when everything was considered, he did not think the charges were in any way exhorbitant.

Cr Coley opposed the motion. He had attended picture shows in other towns, and considered the Foxton ones were equal to any. The prices charged in Feilding were is 6d and is.

Cr Richmond supported the motion, as he considered it was time the prices were reduced. A very fair profit for the year had been made. A section at the back of the hall, which was purchased at a Cost of he understood, to, provide a cart entrance at the back, was being used as a garden by the caretaker. Why should the Council pay tor a section to be afterwards used as a garden ? The Mayor would not support the motion, for the reason that when the loan proposals in connection with the hall were brought forward he had canvassed the town for support, using the argument i that the hall would be made to pay its way. It hadn’t yet been established long enough to start to play With the profits. He agreed with Crs Chrystall and Coley that the picture shows in Foxtqn compared favourably with those in qther towns. Another reason why the present prices should be maintained was because the attendance , still kept up, and there' was no reason for a reduction on this account. No doubt, when opposition did come they would have to reduce the prices, but they should wait until then. Cr Whibley had 1 asked if the same procedure was to be adopted, in connection with the gas works, but the two were not on all fours. Gas was almost a necessity, and consequently consumers should get it at the lowest possible price, but amusements were altogether different, and they Should expect to pay a little more for them. . The motion, on being put, was lost, the voting being; For. Crs Hannah, Adams, Richmond and Whibley -; against, the Mayor, and Crs Coley, Chrystall and Speirs. Th’* Mayor gave his casting vote against the motion, and in doing fPI said be was following the usual

procedure. When a motion was before a Council which made provision for any radical change, and the Chairman’s casting vote was necessary, it was generally given against the moti6n. In such a case, the mover could bring the matter on again before a full council. BETTER PROGRAMMES WANTED. Cr Adams moved, aud Cr Speirs seconded, that Messrs Fuller and Sons be asked for better programmes, and that more efficient music be provided by procuring programmes of music, and if necessary, another instrument. In speaking to the motion, the mover said that the programmes being supplied at present were very poor indeed —in fact, they were worse than those supplied at first at the lower price. They were certainly not worth the money that was being paid for them. He thought that they should procure their films from some other firm, and suggested they should go to the greater J. D. Williams Company and let the opposition show go to Fullers. He said that at all picture shows one would occasionally strike an “off” night, but at the local show there didn’t seem to be an “on” night. Referring to the music, he said that patrons had listened night after night tor eighteen months to the same music, aud thought it was time they had a change. Another instrument would be an improvement. He understood it was possible to get programmes of music suitable to the pictures, and if so, these should be procured.

Cr Chrystall expressed the opinion that the Council was not being fairly dealt with by Fullers in connection with the programmes, and considered the Council would get better treatment from Wests.

Cr Coley agreed that the music was wretched, stating that in other places the players rehearsed. In connection with the films, he considered the proper thing to do was for the Councillors to support the manager in au endeavour to get the best films possible. The Town Clerk said that he had got a programme from the Williams Company, but had found that the films would not properly fit the Council’s machine.

The Mayor said he was pleased to support Cr Adams’ motion. He had maintained all along that if they were not getting value for their money they should see that they did get it. They should give the public the best pictures they could procure. Cr Adams said he wished it to be understood that he was not dissatisfied with the playing of the musicians, as he recognised they were both experts. The trouble was they were not playing music so suit the pictures. The motion, on being put, was carried.