THE PROPOSED COFFEE PALACE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1009, 15 July 1879, Page 2

THE PROPOSED COFFEE PALACE.

A meeting of those interested in the establishment of a coffee palace, for the purpose of hearing tlie report of the committee appointed to make inquiries as to obtaining a suitable building, &c., was held last evening at the Mechanics' Institute. A number of ladies, in addition to about 20 gentlemen, were present. Mr. John Falconer was voted to the chair. The Chairman gave a brief outline of the report of the Committee, and mentioned the various steps that had been taken to obtain information. Mr. Montagu then read the following report : The Committee appointed to make enquiries in the matter of establishing a coffee palace or hotel in Oamaru are of opinion that such can only prove a financial success in combination with accommodation for at least 20 lodgers. The cost of securing a suitable site and building was ascertained to be about the sum of 4,000, with furnishing, L 4,500. To rent an appropriate building in a good position would cost probably L 4 per week, or L 250 per annum, to which must be added the cost of altering and making more suitable to the particular needs of the undertaking, and LSOO for furnishing. We now leave the matter in your hands, only further suggesting that any future provisional committee be established on a wider basis, to include all sections of the community. Mr. Moore, after a pause, said it seemed that the magnitude of the undertaking had struck people dumb. It seemed to him that the Committee had started on the wrong tack, though perhaps he ought not to say so. It appeared to him that they proposed starting on too large a scale. While he agreed with the advantage of having a large company formed, he thoughtit was impossible to carry out the suggestion under the present state of financial matters. But he thought that as this could not be done, they should start on a more moderate basis ; they must cut their coat according to their cloth. He thought they might make a start on a much smaller scale. They might begin with a capital of L3O or L4O, and mentioned that either in Melbourne or Fitzrov a similar movement had been made with only L3O or L4O. They should try and get a place on the east side of Thames-street, where they could sell coffee and a slice of bread and butter at a moderate charge, and have a comfortable room in which people could make themselves at home. The outlay would not be great, and they might try it for a month or six weeks. If it did not pay, the loss would be small. The Rev. A, 33. Todd thought the meeting should express its appreciation of the efforts of the Committee, who had gone to a great amount of trouble, and should pass them a vote of thanks. He had gone into the matter more fully since the last meeting, and he felt convinced that the Committee had taken the right direction, if they had the money to carry out the proposal. He then read a report given in the Southern Cross of the laying of the foundation stone of the Collingwood Coffee Palace, a magnificent building being erected at a large cost. This showed what might bo done by a large company, the shares in which were LI each, 2s Gd of the amount being paid on taking up the shares, 2s Odin a month, and the balance in fifteen months in monthly payments of Is. This was the course they ought to adopt, but he was afraid they could not undertake it at present, while there was so much distress in the town. He would therefore move, " That this meeting expresses its thanks to the Committee for the report submitted, but, while agreeing with the suggestions therein contained, is of opinion that, in view of the present financial depression, the establishment of a coffee palace should bo postponed for a time." Mr. Milligan quite concurred with the proposal of the Committee. Ho thought it would bo better to postpone undertaking the establishment of a coffee palace for a time, rather than start in too small a way and damage the prospects of the undertaking. He would therefore second the Rev. Mr. Todd's motion. The motion was carried. Mr. Milligan them moved, " That a committee of 12 be formed for the purpose of collecting further information, and report in three months." Although it had been agreed to postpone the establishment of a coffee palace the proposal should not be lost sight of. A committee should be appointed to collect full information as to the mode of forming a company and the management of coffee palaces, with the view of placing this information before a future meeting. If this information were obtained he felt sure that the public would take the matter up when financial prospects brightened. It was just possible that had they started without obtaining full information they might have lost a considerable amount of money in gaining knowledge that they would now be able to obtain before starting. The Rev.' A. B. Todd seconded the motion, and said that the Committee might obtain a large amount of useful information, and when money was not so tight, to use a common expression, the public, he believed, would cordially support such an institution. Mr. Montagu thought the Committee should not be limited to obtaining information as to coffee palaces and temperance hotels, but should be permitted to embrace any proposal akin to the movement. The motion was carried, and the following Committee appointed : —Messrs. Falconer, Mirams, Jeffreys, Robinson, M'Farlane, Hamilton, Montagu, Couper, Watson, Sutton, Cuthbert, and Dawson — five to form a quorum. Mr. Montagu was chosen convener, and it was decided thatthe meetings of the Committee should, with the consent of the Board, be held in the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms. Mr. Moore said that while agreeing with what had been done, he thought something had been omitted. They should not disperse without deciding upon doing something in the meantime. They should not fox-get that the evil they wished to remedy would continue unabated for the three months during which the Committee was getting information. He still thought they should rent a small shop and make a start. He felt sure many persons would contribute towards it, and they might do some good, although not on so grand a scale. The Chairman thought, after the resolution previously passed, the meeting could scarcely entertain such a proposal; but it would be competent for a meeting of those interested to be held afterwards to consider the suggestion. The meeting then closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. TEMPOKAKY COFFEE FvOOM. A meeting was immediately afterwards held for the purpose of considering the advisableness of starting a temporary coffee room. After a little discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr< M'Farlane, seconded by Mr. Moore, " That the ladies present, Mesdames Todd, Clowes, Moore, Rock, Mirams, and :

Miss Moore, with power to add to the number, form a Committee to tako U necessary steps for tlio establishment of" temporary coffee room, and that Messv Moore and Milligan be associated with U Committee." Mrs. Clowes was chosf convener of the Ladies' Comnritteo ay the meeting terminated. ' ' '