COMPULSORY CLOSING OF TOWN HALL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1913, 10 December 1918, Page 2

COMPULSORY CLOSING OF TOWN HALL

LESSEE APPLIES FOR REMIS-

SION OF RENT,

At last night’s Council meeting Mr T. Powell, lessee of the Town Hall, made application for the remission of the rent of the hall tor (ho period during which the building has been (dosed by order ol: the Ideallh Department.

The Mayor said that a number of people bad been hard bit through the restrictions of Ihe Health Department,' made necessary in (be interests of public* health. In some instances, where places had been compulsorily closed, (he landlords wore sticking out for (lie full rent, but lie did not think (he Council should do this.- If it could legally fie done, the Council should meet Mr Powell as fairly as possible. lie thought Use remission of half the rent would be a fair thing, and moved. that the lessee of the Town Hall be granted a rebate of half the rent payable during the lime the ball is closed by order of the Health Authorities, providing same eau be legally done. Gr Walker seconded the motion pro forma. The ball was closed, through no fault of the lessee, and lie was justly entitled to some relief.

Cr MeMurray said they must Ik: perfectly fair. The Hall had boon closed in Urn interests of the health of the citizens of Foxton, wlio were really the owners of the building, and he didn’t think it was fair to ask the lessee to even pay half the rent. ITc would like to see a bigger reduction made.

Cr Henderson said he would support remitting (he whole of (he rent. The building had been let by Mr Rowell to the Horticultural Society, but owing l to the restrictions the Show had to be postponed. Mr Powell could no doubt make the Society pay the rent, but he was not doing this. Cr Henderson said the Council should not charge him any rent for (he period during which the building had been (dosed. Cr Hannah said the (dosing of the building was a great handicap on the lessee, and the Council should meet him in a fair manner. He suggested a rebate of the whole of the rent less the amount he would receive from the Health Department in connection‘with the inhalation chamber.

Cr Thompson favoured remitting the whole of the rent loss the amount received from the Health authorities.

Cr Bryant said they nuwt look at tho matter in the light of Mr Powell as lessee being practically in the position of owner of the building during the term of his lease. In offering a rebate of half the rent he considered they were making a very fair offer indeed. Cr Coley said he would support a remission of half the rent, hut no more. Cr Kemps ter favoured remitting the whole amount less the amount received in connection with the inhalation chamber. As an amendment, Cr Thompson moved, and Cr Walker seconded, Hint, provided it can be legally done, the Avhole of the rent be remitted, less any amounts that may be received for rent during the period (be building is closed.

The Mayor said be would be prepared to support the amendment if he thought the Government Auditor would allow it. He was convinced, however, that he would not pass it. The amendment, on being put, was carried, the voting being:—■ Eor: Crs Thompson, Walker, McMurray, Hannah, Kempster and Henderson. Against; The Mayolf and Crs Coley and Bryant.