BOROUGH COUNCIL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3009, 11 March 1926, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL

SPECIAL MEETING,

TEMPORARY PICTURE HALL,

TOWN HALL TO BE ERECTED ON PRESENT SITE.

Without any unnecessary delay, a special meeting of the Borough Council was held last night to discuss matters in connection with the destruction of the Town Hall by tiro early yesterday morning. In the absence of the Mayor M. E. Perreau Esq., senior Cr. Walker occupied the chair. Also present were Crs McMurray, Woods, Winstanley, Cowley, Parkin, Rand, Adams and Thompson. Mr. H. Reid, caretaker and operator, was also in attendance A telegram was received from the Mayor, who is at present away on holiday, expressing regret at the loss the borough has sustained by the loss of the Town Hall, and stating that he was leaving immediately for Foxton. The Town Clerk (Mr. Wm. Trueman), in outlining the object of the meeting said that it was necessary for the Council to take immediate steps to erect a new hall. In this respect he knew that they had the confidence of the ratepayers as everyone had gone out of their way to express sympathy and regret at the destruction of the hall. In the meantime, however, it would be necessary to erect some temporary structure to carry on with. He had given this matter serious consideration and the only workable plan to his mind was the extension of the bandroom another 50 feet. The order for upholstered seats could then be gone on with and even if the hall was not quite as comfortable as the old one, the seats would be more so. It would also be necessary to purchase a new biograph and he would like the Council’s sanction to allow both himself and Mr. H. lleid to go to Wellington to make this purchase. The operating box would be an asbestos structure outside the present entrance to the bandroom and the machine would be shifted into the Council Chambers at the conclusion of the performance each evening. This would in no way be detrimental as the machines are of the portable variety. The machine it was intended to purchase would, be installed in the new building as soon as completed. Tickets could be sold from the Mayor’s room window in the Council Chambers facing . the bandroom, and the patrons would enter the building from a side door. Emergency doors would be placed in the building, which all told, would be practically 70 feet long with a seating accommodation of over 250. On account of this it would be necessary to show the same programme on both Friday and Saturday nights in order that all Town Hall patrons would be afforded an opportunity of seeing the picture. Mr. Trueman estimated that the building would cost about £l3O to put in order and the iron used on the extension could be used on the new Town Hall.

It was agreed to endorse the town Clerk’s proposal and Cr. Adams offered to act as clerk of works. The temporary building is to be erected by day labour and to be put in hand immediately. It is anticipated that within a fortnight the temporary hall will be in use. The Deputy Mayor expressed appreciation of the Town Clerk’s prompt action in taking the matter up.

Cr. Thompson: We don’t know the value of our Town Clerk. His suggestions are excellent ones. The following motion was then moved by Cr. McMurray: That after hearing the town clerk’s proposal, the Council voices its hearty appreciation of his prompt action in making arrangements to carry on, and, further, the Council conveys its sym pa thy to Mr. lieid in the loss he sustained by the fire.

Messrs. Trueman and Reid expressed their thanks.

It was decided that Mr. Reid’s services be retained at his present salary.

Cr. Cowley paid a tribute to the work of the local fire brigade and thanks and appreciation of their work and that of the waterworks foreman was placed on record, together with a vote of thanks to all volunteer and Mr. A. Stevenson in particular. The Town Clerk reported that the insurance business in connection with the tire had been adjusted and also that the office was prepared to cover them in their temporary building. The Clerk and hall manager were authorised to purchase a new biograph. It was decided to sell the old timber and iron on the site of the fire by public auction. The question of erection of a new hall was brought up and various sites were suggested, but after full discussion it was decided to erect the new hall on the old site. The Town Clerk pointed out that if the new building was made to conform to a certain extent, to the one destroyed by fire a saving of over £IOO would be made by connecting up with the sewerage system as provided for destroyed building. The Town Clerk reported that he had been in communication with Mr. Varnham (Council Chambers architect) and he had agreed to visit Foxton to-day. The plans of the old town hall were then placed before the meeting and certain improvements agreed upon for the new building. Cr. McMurray brought up the question of starting a new library

but the matter was held over until the return of the Mayor. Mi\ Trueman and Mr. 11. Reid leave for Wellington to purchase the new biograph machine on Monday morning returning the same evening. Arrangements have already been made for the alteration to the bandroom and this morning the Town Clerk endorsed his previous opinion that the building will he ready for use by Saturday week.