THE PROPOSED THEATRE, &c.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 156, 6 July 1867, Page 2

THE PROPOSED THEATRE, &c.

A meeting was held last night at the Bauk Hotel, Hardy-street, for the pur-., pose of initiating a movement, for the formation of a joint-stock company with limited liability, having for its object the erection of a Theatre and Assembly Rooms in this city. The meeting was attended by a large number of our leading citizens, "the project having evidently created very considerable interest. Dr. Williams having been moved into the chair, after a few prefatory remarks, introduced Mr. Handyside to the meeting, who at once proceeded to explain his scheme, remarking that the public rooms which had hitherto been used in this city as places of amusement were totally destitute of proper appliances and accommodation, and quite inadequate to meet the requirements of the community. Mr. Handyside stated that he had prepared plans and estimates of the proposed buiiding, which would of course be subjected to the approval of the directors of the proposed company. These, at a later period of the evening, were laid before the meeting. Ifc is estimated that a probable revenue of £345 may be secured from the Harmonic Society, dramatic performances, balls, public meetings, aud rent of shops in the buildiug, while the cost of erection would be £2072, and of the purchase of land for the site about £500. Mr. Handyside proposes that a company shall be formed, with a capital of £3000, in 600 shares of £5 each, and he calculates the estimated profits for the first year at. JO per cent, on the actual outlay, and that the increase in the value of the land would meet the depreciation on the building, and in twenty years might fairly be calculated at £2000. Mr. Handyside's scheme, which was evidently the result of long aud thoughtful consideration, was listened to with much attention, and at its conclusion, the following re-

solution was moved by Mr. H. E. Curtis, and seconded by Mr. W. Hodgson: — " That it is the opinion of this meeting that the time has arrived for taking measures to procure the erection of a properly designed Public Hall and Theatre on a suitable site in the City of Nelson," which was carried unanimously. Mr. W. M. Stanton proposedj and Dr. Scaly seconded the next resolution, " That a company be formed (limited liability) with an adequate capital, in shares of £5 each, for the erection of such, a building," : which was carried. The third resolution,"That intending shareholders, who may be present at tbis meeting, do hand, in their names to the chairman, with the number of shares they intend to take," proposed by Mr. H. E. Curtis, and seconded by Mr. Eout. and also the fourth, "That such intending shareholders do nominate three or five of their number, who shall proceed to obtain the names of intending shareholders with power to make all the preliminary arrangements for the proper formation of a company (limited), and for the obtaining of designs for the building, &c, should the amount hereafter to be decided upon as the capital be taken up in shares," which was proposed by Dr. Scaly, and seconded by Mr. Stanton, were both carried unanimously. The nomination of the following gentlemen ta act as a Provisional Committee, —Messrs. Stanton, Gully, Dobson, Eout, and Younger, —was also agreed to. A number of persons present inscribed their names on the share-list, and, after a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting separated. We may mention that several sites were named for the proposed building, and thafc at the commencement of the proceedings, Mr. Hibble, on behalf of Mr. Wadman, made a proposition to sell land in Bridge Street, opposite the Provincial Buildings, to the Company, at £5 per foot, and to take the whole amount out in shares. Other sites in Hardy and Bridge Streets were also brought under notice. In compliance with a general impression that the amount of capital requisite had been set at too low a figure by Mr. Handyside, this matter was left for -future consideration. The scheme seems now fairly in the field, and we trust that it will meet with the success to which it is undoubtedly entitled.