THE TOWN HALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1763, 11 December 1917, Page 3

THE TOWN HALL.

TENDERS TO BE INVITED FOR LEASE. FOR TWO AND FOUR YEARS. In accordance with a resolution passed at the October meeting of the Council, the question of leasing or otherwise of the Town Hall came up for discussion at last night’s Council meeting. The Mayor said that the New Zealand Picture Supplies, Ltd., had notified the Council that they did not intend continuing at the expiry of the present lease, but had expressed a wish to see him (the Mayor) in Wellington to discuss the matter. However, he did not see why he should run down to Wellington after them. The lease would expire on February 28th next, and the'Council had now to consider what steps should be taken to get the best return possible from the Hall in the future. If the building had to be erected at the present time it would cost double the original cost, and it was undoubtedly one of the finest halls in New Zealand for the amount it cost. Up to the present the sum of £4,095 had been spent on it. When the hall was first erected the Council ran pictures, and during the first eighteen months a profit of £I,OOO was made. There was no opposition at this time. Later, when the opposition came along it was decided it would be better to lease the hall, and it was leased without competition to the New Zealand Picture Supplies, Ltd., _at £8 per week, which was a very fair rental indeed. Later the New Zealand Picture Supplies, Ltd., notified that they could not continue at the rental fixed, and a reduction was made. They had now given notice of their intentiton to vacate the hall, and he believed the best, thing to do was to invito lenders for the lease of same. The only alternative was for the Council to again run pictures. If they could get a fair rental he believed it would be better than running pictures, but he, for one, would not agree to sacrifice the ball.- He understood that an offer of £7 was likely to be made. At the present time the insurance premium on the building was £BO per year, and he understood that if companies with movable lighted scenery were not allowed the use of the hall the insurance would be reduced by £45 per year. He had interviewed the manager of the hall, who had informed him that during the current year only £6 had been received from companies using movable lighted scenery, and in view of this it would bo good business to insert a clause in the new lease providing that movable lighted scenery would not be allowed in the building, thus saving the Council £45 per year in insurance. Cr Henderson said the picture business in New Zealand was becoming a monopoly. In Gisborne there were five picture houses, but now only three were running, all of which were controlled by one firm. Foxton was not big enough for two picture shows every night; in Invercargill three shows were running until recently, but now there were only two. lie was not in favour of the Council again running pictures. In reply to Lr Hurley, the Mayor said that (he balance owing on the hall was £2,400, The rent at present being paid by the New Zealand Picture Supplies, Lt., was £5 10s per week. Cr Hurley favoured tenders being invited for the lease of the building, which was the fairest way of dealing with it. He did not think the Council had a hope of running pictures and making it pay. Cr Stevenson said the most important point was being lost sight of. They wanted to guard against (he possibility of anyone leasing the hall and keeping it closed and running pictures in another building. They had an established business at present, and should guard against the business being spoiled. The hall should be leased for the specific purpose of running pictures. He didn’t want to see the hall shut up, and the business go to another picture show.

After some further discussion the following motion was carried: That alternate tenders be called for lease of Town Hall for two and four years, to be in by the next Council meeting; that companies using movable lighted scenery be excluded, and that one of the conditions of-the lease be that pictures nsst be showfl on at least three flights ifl each week.

On the motiop of Cr Steyepsop, seconded by Cr MeCloll, a committee was set up to deal with the Town Hall, to examine same and see that everything is 'quite as it should be ip accordance with the agreement between the Council and the New Zealand Picture Supplies, Ltd.