TOWN HALL PICTURES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1988, 10 June 1919, Page 3

TOWN HALL PICTURES.

AI Just night's Council meet in"' a letter was read from Mr J. H. Rgid, of Wellington, advising that he was negotiating with Mr T. Powell, lessee of the Town Hall, with a view to purchasing the picture business, and had a fourteen days’ option over same. Before completing, however, he wanted to know if the Council would agree to transfer the lease, and would give him a renewal of same at the expiry of the present term for a further period. He pointed out*that as the lease only had nine months to run it would not pay him to lake same over unless he had some guarantee of a renewal.The Mayor said that Mr Keid interviewed him last Wednesday afternoon. He had excellent references, and had been in the picture business for ten or twelve years, and said lie was prepared to take the place over if he could get some guarantee of a further term. The Mayor said he did not like the idea of committing the Council so far ahead, as they did not know what might -happen. II didn’t scorn to him to be good business to do it. Cr. Thompson said that Mr Reid had also interviewed him, and he was very favourably impressed with the man. Mr Keid wanted to know if he could get a reasonable assurance of another term. Cr. Thompson said he considered the Council should agree to the transfer, and he considered it would be reasonable to give Mr Keid some assurance that he would get a renewal. With the opposition house running-it was not likely that an offer of a higher rent than at present would he made. He thought they could not go far wrong in assuring Mr Keid that he would get a further term, and in doing so he believed they would be acting’ wisely. Cr. Walker said he was agreeable to the transfer, but lie didn’t think the Council should commit itself to a further term. The Mayor: i consider ii would he bad business.

Cr. Bryant favoured (ho transfer, but md ;i right of renewal.

(V. (Adaysaid lie favoured tlio yranliny of, a furlber ic*nn of two years. Il would Ik* bailer io make Hire of a renewal now if il could be loyally dona. They could no! expaH (o ye I a bigber ranf whan (her? was opposition. (T. Rand: We'll gal if*-.-.

The following iiif l l!<• 11 was carried: Proposed by Cr. Pear-mu, seconded by Cr. Tliompx.n, Unit A!r 4. ii. Reid lie informed I hut Ihis Council will favourably consider !Sic transferriiiy ef I be, lease at present held by Air T. I’owell to hmisell', hul does mil. agree to hind the Corporation lo an extension of I he lease on present terms. At a late]' stage in the proceedings, Cr. Thompson handl'd up a motion proposed hy himself, and, seconded hy Cr Rand, Unit if it could ho loyally done, Mr Reid ho granled an extension of the lease of the Towm Hull, provided the guarantees, etc., required arc satisfactory. The Mayor said that as 1 lit* mailer had already been dealt with be could not accept the motion. Before anything further could he done it would be necessary lo rescind the motion a I ready, passed. Cr. Thompson said he would give notice to move in this direction.