TE ARO THEATRE AND PUBLIC HALL COMPANY (LIMITED).

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5318, 12 April 1878, Page 3

TE ARO THEATRE AND PUBLIC HALL COMPANY (LIMITED).

The first annual meeting of the above com‘pahy was held last evening at the exchange land mart, Eeatherston-street, Mr. A. I . Stuart in the chair. The advertisement convening -the meeting having been read, the following report was taken as read : ' The iboard of directors, In presenting their first annual report to the shareholders of the company, have pleasure In stating as follows: — 1. The purchase of the freehold land in Mannersstreet was completed In the month of May, 1877, and Mr. J. Hanson’s tender for the erection of the building for £7307 10a. accepted in the same month, ■ The directors regret, however, to state that in consequence i of the builder’s early abandonment of the contract to his sureties and subsequent insolvency, they have, •’been compelled to carry on the work through their architect. Considerable loss of time and consequent ’ expense have thus been unavoidably incurred. 2. The directors are happy to be able to state that the build-'; ing already shows that In point of accommodation, scenic details, and architectural effect, together with 'safety In;case of panic or fire, It will be superior to ■ anything otsthe klnd In the colony, and will add ■ • another to the many Important public; buildings of • tho'city. To the architect (Mr, Thomas Turnbull), fthe-KSCenio, artist (Mr. T. S. Willis), Mr. Thomas Hconlar (of the firm of Secular and Archibald), and the various contractors engaged In the erection and llttioK-np of. the building, much credit is due for the skill and cate brought to bear throughout. 8. The directors are negotiating with various companies for the opening of the building in a thoroughly satlslac--tOTT manner.- They have named The Imperial Opera House,’’ and hope that under that name it will have a long and successful career.

"”"A"sla{criront'orthereoetpt3,and'rxpen(lltnro-forthe-year ending Slst March., 1878. is )aid before you. A balance-sheet and profit and loss statement will appear lulxt year. wlien the din-ctors hope thatr'-with ~ judicious management, they will be able to declare;a Satisfactory dividend. - 11 -J„V In the .early-part of the year Mr.. James O bhpa retired from office as' a director, and in accordance with the company’s articles of association.; all the present directors and auditors retire from office, put are eligible for re-election. (

, The, CHAIRMAN said.:: In moving the adoption of the report of - the directors which has been laid before you I-have little to add to what * it. contains.? Afler Mr. Kanaou abandoned the contract, the work was carried on by the architect: on behalf of the company. Almost all that requires to be done now is a portion of the decorations, which it is expected will be finished iu about ten days. It js seated to hold as follows :—Ten boxes, 120 ; stalls, 2SO ; pit, 400 ; dress-circle, 160 ; gallery, 210. Total, 1206. i Besides there is standing room in the pit for 200 more, and iu the gallery for 50 more, making a grand total of 1456. Water has been laid on, and ten hose, each, 60, feet long,.have' been distributed throughout, the building, to ensure the rapid extinguishing of a fire, should one occur, while there are numerous outlets offering abundant means of escape to those inside. A balcony has been erected in front of the building for the use of the baud, and other purposes. Several applications have been made for renting the shops,.but they have not yet been let. In retiring from office, the directors hope that the- Te Aro Theatre Company will grow and prosper. He .then moved the adoption of the report. . Mr. Warbdrton seconded the motion. ;

A Shareholder inquired if the Theatre was ; let to any one ? The Chairman said not at present,, but several negotiations were pending. . , The report was unanimously adopted. , i The following gentlemen were elected directors : Messrs. G. Crawford, L. Levy,. J. Fenton, J. Arkell, A. P. Stuart, A. McDonald, :and H. Mace. 1 ' •

On the motion of Mr. Arkell, seconded by Mr. Fenton, Mr. T. K. VVarburtou and; Mr. G. Pirie were re-elected auditors. Mr. Mace moved a vote of thanks to the directors.

Mr. PaULL seconded the motion, iwhioh was carried.

Mr. Crawford returned thanks, saying that his colleagues and himself had done their best to push matters . forward, and believed that very shortly the new theatre would be opened, and ere long he hoped to have the pleasure of announcing a dividend. Mr. Crawford moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Turnbull, the architect, for the excellent manner in which he had, carried put his work. All who had seen the theatre were, pleased with it, and he (Mr. Crawford) had very great pleasure in moving a vote of thanks to him. (Cheers.) Mr. A. P. Stuart seconded the, motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Turnbull briefly thanked the meeting, and wished prosperity to the company. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. . '