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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 147, 14 March 1874, Page 2

Dear Sib, —Before taking my leave for the present of your excellent, little town and the no less excellent settlers in it, I would desire, in the interests of those who may come after me, (and possibly of myself at some future day) to give a word or two of advice relative to the want of accommodation experienced by a professional company while performing in your Music Hall. I’he reason that I take this step proceeds from no spirit of fault finding, beyond what I consider to be due to myself, and others. It is rather that I desire to promote the prosperity of community in which I have received so much kindness, that I make bold to lay these facts before you and the public. Your Music Hall, in its present condition, is a standing monument of same one's folly. It is an unprofitable expenditure of money, because my short visit here tells me it is totally unadapted for the purpose for which it was originally designed. The two rooms in

front, even if let with the Hall, are useless, because they are at the wrong end of the building. The other, at the rear of the stage, is closed against performances, for Library purposes, and is, moreover, in the custody of a librarian who, possessed of less tnaviter in modo, than fortlter in re, does much to multiply the inconveniences experienced by performers debarred from the use of the room.

For three nights out of the four I have played in Gisborne, I have been compelled to dress behind the scenes, on a stage that is already fur too small for the most ordinary purposes. There is not the slightest convenience for retirement, for either ladies or gentlemen, and when we compare the charges with those of other places, and the conveniences they afford, the result is very unfavoiable to Gisborne. Believe me, dear Sir, it is with the greatest regret that I am forced, as it were, to write thus ; and I trust that you, and they whom I address through you, will accept my assurances of a kindiv intention. —1 am, &c., W. Gourlay.