The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1883. THE PUBLIC HALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 100, 5 April 1883, Page 2

The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1883. THE PUBLIC HALL.

[t seems os if the prlfper custodianship at this building werfi*%o be a vexed question for ever. A^eport was brought ap by the Hall Committee at last night's meeting of the Borough Couacil, m 'which inter alia were set forth the purposes for which the Hall was to be let given of charge. Ihe wording WrfS to the effect that the Hall should be free for ptfblic meeti-gs which were convened by the chairman of any of the "local governing bodies." To this an objection was raised, that other than " governing bodies" should have this privilege. We cemmend Cr suggestion, viz., to make no distinction whatever, but to charge on every occasion on which the Hall is nsed. To this rule there should be no except tions. We cannot see at all why the Hall should be free to a flower-show, for instance, as was suggested last night. The proposal is not m accord-* ance with reason. The Hull has beeu quite too much a free institution for everybody and everything, and it is not to be wondered at that it is m a chronic state of disrepair. Free privileges are not as a rule appreciated, as witness the most reprehensible care" lessness which Cr Walker so severely censured m connection with the use of the Hall on the occasion of a recent flower-show. We say by ail means make a uniform scale of charges, and adhere to it on every occasion indiscriminately. Let the Borough Council pay as well as " flower .show ; a religious service, as well as a dancing party. It exceptions are made for any purposes whatever, there will be no end to the confusion, dissatisfaction, and subse* auent recrimination to which the system m vogue of special concessions has ucfortunately been only too productive. If the Hall is worth having, it is worth paying tor, and m onr opinion under no circumstances should its occupation be granted free of charge. Only by adhering to one uniform rule, m this rtspect, wi 1 matters be satisfactorily adjusted both as regards the present aud the future.