TOWARDS A CIVIC CENTRE.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 337, 19 January 1937, Page 4

TOWARDS A CIVIC CENTRE.

TOWN HALL QUESTION.

Prominent Educationist Would Like New Building.

“Although the Drama League would certainly hike to see f> nw Town Hall for Stratford or Bt least would be pleased if the present one were renovated and made rather more attractive, we consider that we are better off in many respects than other leagues in Taranaki,” 6a id Mr A. H. R. Amess, M.A., when interviewed by t,h e “Central Press” to-day.

The interview with Mr Amess, who is President of the Drama League, was made In furtherance of the argument set out in an editorial in yesterday’s issue of the “Central Press” that the Stratford Town Hall needs a thorough renovation if it is to be the centre of civic life it should be.

From the point of “back-stage” appointments and seating capacity, Mr Amess considered the present hall to be excellent and suitable for the Drama League’s activities. "The rental is low,” he said, “and we are better off than either New Plymouth or Hawera in that direction. The Drama Clubs in those towns have, to secure anything like the seating capacity or the dressing room accommodation we can get, to have a much more expensive hall or else take a smaller place which will have none of the amenities a bigger one could give.”

“But,’ ’ he added, “I support your paper’s view that the proper development of the cultural life of the town demands something much better than we have. A new Town Hall is a crying need in Stratford.”

Mr Amess felt that there was a tendency among the theatrical proprietors of New Zealand who conducted tours, to forget albout Stratford. Important touring shows played at New Plymouth and Hawera but did not visit Stratford. That was due largeily to the fact that the local Town Hall was "nsuitable for their shows.

"Why should Stratford people have to travel such distances to see shows which would broaden their outlook and provide worth-while entertainment?

“A new Town Hall is badly needed,” concluded Mr Amass, “and you will have wide support in your efforts to secure something Setter.”