OPERA HOUSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 November 1942, Page 2

OPERA HOUSE

MINOR REPAIRS PROPOSED BY TRUST LITTLE DANGER SEEN IN USE OF BUILDING. APPLICATION TO BOROUGH COUNCIL. At last evening's meeting of the Masterton Trust Lands Trust it was decided to obtain in writing the Borough Engineer’s reported verbal statement that if the Trust carried out interior plastering and painting in the Opera House he would grant a permit for the use of the building. A tender of £164 submitted by Rigg Bros for the repair work was received. The secretary, Mr A. W. McKenzie, said that the Borough Engineer had told him that there was very little danger in the Opera House. If plastering and painting work were carried out, the engineer had said, he would be agreeable to a licence being granted. Mr A. Owen Jones said he would like to have the engineer’s advice in writing. Mr H. P. Hugo, chairman, said that the fact of the engineer granting a licence was good enough. Mr J. MacFarlane Laing pointed;out that the previous licence had never been legally cancelled after the earthquake. Mr H. H. Daniell held that the engineer’s advice in writing would be the Trust's protection. The secretary said he considered the Opera House safe against earthquake. Mr Laing: “It stood the test.” Mr E. G. Eton said the Public Works advisory architect and engineer held a different opinion on the building. However, all the Trust wanted was a licence for the hall, although the Public Works Department might have something to say about it. “It does not concern the Public Works Department,” replied the secretary. “The Department only reported in an advisory capacity on all buildings in Masterton.” In reply to Mr Eton, Mr Daniell said that the Public Works Department could not overrule the Borough Engineer. It was decided to take action as stated above. Invited by a “Times-Age” representative to comment on the above report, the Borough Engineer (Mr C. R. Mabson) said that on being approached by the Trust Lands Trust secretary he had informed the latter that he would refer the Trust application regarding the Opera House to the Works Committee on Thursday night, with a view to the use of the building being authorised. '• Mr Mabson said he had also informed the Trust secretary that the report by the Public Works Department engineers still stood and that responsibility would have to be taken by the Trust if it decided to open and use the building.