OPERA HOUSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 June 1943, Page 2

OPERA HOUSE

NEGOTIATIONS WITH PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT REGARDING STRENGTHENING PROPOSALS. LACK OF PUBLIC HALLS. A letter from the Wairarapa Trades Council pointing out that there was no public building in Masterton at present in a fit condition to hold any public gathering was received at last night’s meeting of the Masterton Trust Lands Trust. The letter urged the Trust to rectify the position as soon as possible. It was decided to advise the Trades Council that negotiations regarding the Opera House were at present being carried out with the Public Works Department. Mr J. Macfarlane Laing said he was glad the letter had come before the Trust. Something had to be done and done urgently regarding a building to be used for civic and other purposes. Some people were still under the impression that the Opera House was seriously damaged in the earthquakes. That was not correct. The Opera House suffered no structural damage. It had stood the test of the earthquakes and it was reasonable to suppose it would stand others of a similar’ intensity. The Public Works Department wanted the place strengthened considerably. That was beyond the capabilities of the Trust and Mr Laing suggested that the borough engineer, in association with the Public Works Department, could issue a temporary permit to enable the Opera House to be used.

Mr C. E. Grey said it was useless asking for a temporary permit. Mr E. G. Eton said ifa temporary permit were granted it might as well be a permanent one as there was the same element of risk. The engineer was acting wisely in thinking of the safety of the public. It would be necessary, though, to press with the Government the need of the Opera House. Mr H. P. Hugo: “The matter is well under way with the Public Works Department and I will be able to tell you something soon.” Mr H. H. Daniell said practically every member of the Trust was working in unsafe buildings and their employees were doing the same. Few men were available for repair work and in some cases chimneys brought down in the earthquakes had not been restored’ Mr Daniell said it would be wrong for the Trust to get priority for the Opera House work when there was so much essential work to be done.

“Are we going to have the Opera House restored to hear the things for which we now turn off the wireless?” he asked in referring to a suggestion by Mr Laing that electors should hear their party’s views. “It is not the duty of the Trust to provide a building for civic use,” observed Mr Grey. The matter then lapsed.