THEATRE SCHEME

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 250, 30 July 1940, Page 3

THEATRE SCHEME

REASONS FOR THE DELAY.

LETTER FROM THE COMPANY. BOROUGH COUNCIL DECISIONS. If the Government declines to sanction the granting of steel and other materials for the building of the new theatre in Havelock Street, Ashburton, Messrs Fullers Theatres Corporation, Ltd., will take steps to have a stage built at. the St. James Theatre to provide facilities for local functions, and plays. This advice was given in a letter to the Ashburton Borough Council last evening from the managing director of the Corporation (Mr A. Ben Fuller). The letter stated that jt appeared that certain members of the Council were under the" impression that the delay in the construction of a new theatre was due to the tardiness of the company. A considerable sum of money had been invested in a site which, m its undeveloped state, involved the company in a substantial weekly loss which it was anxious to arrest bv the development of the property. Plans for the theatre had been approved by the Department of Industries and Commerce, but the company was faced with unavoidable delay till the Government had expressed its opinion on the advisability of building a theatre in present conditions. The company was keenly aware of the need for a suitable theatre for local functions, and it hoped that within the next few weeks the whole matter would be clarified. Mr A. A. McDonald said this did not answer his question as to why theic had been so much delay. The company enjoyed the goodwill of the town, and it held the picture-show licences. However, the Competitions Society—one of the most progressive in the Dominion— was, for an example, being forced next month to use a most unsuitable building for its festival. Iheie were other local organisations withering for want of accommodation. In view oYtlie fact that the old theatre was burnt down three years ago, and the privileges the company enjoyed, it was time something was done to remedy the deficiency. it, was decided, on the motion of Messrs McDonald and Thompson, to write to the company stating that the Council was pleased to learn that alterations would be made to the stage at the St. James Theatre and that they would be proceeded with at an early date. /