BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 31, 16 November 1943, Page 5

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

CLEARING OF MAJESTIC SITE.

QUESTION OF NEW LICENCE.

In reply to a request that the section where the Majestic Theatre was destroyed by lire, six years ago, be cleared up, the Borough Council received last evening a letter from the Fuller Theatre Corporation stating that its Ashburton manager (Mr E. Harris) had been asked to find out exactly Avhat the Council ’ required. Although the Corporation was not anxious to sell the property, it was willing to accede to any reasonable request by the Council. It Was suggested by the Mayor that the Council ask for the building and grounds to be cleaned up and the entrance barricaded to stop people getting in. Some councillors expressed concern at the condition of the parapet, in front of the building, and said it should be removed. The suggestion regarding the parapet was incorporated in the Mayor’s proposal, which was adopted. In connection with the Council’s application for the issue of a new theatre licence in Ashburton, the Mayor reported that he had interviewed the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), who had promised t-» investigate the matter. The Fuller Corporation was given permission to show pictures at Ashburton on Christmas night, subject to the Council’s approval of the programme.

The Postmaster at Ashburton (Mr C. Ward) wrote asking on what terms the Council would supply and maintain tubs containing ornamental shrubs which were to be placed on the recessed portion of the footpath facing East Street and in the entrance vestibule of the Post Office. The' matter was held over till the Town Cl Ark (Mr R. C. Major) could obtain an idea of a reasonable charge for the service. ,

Closed Days at Domain

The Ashburton County Scottish Society’s Pipe Band was granted a closed day at the Domain for a patriotic band Sunday on November IT, and the Patriotic Committee was granted a closed day on December 4 for a patriotic fun fair. It was decided to hold the annual “clean-up week” for rubbish on December 6, 7 and 8. A letter from Mr S. E. Willis, slaughtering contractor at the Municipal Abattoir, asking for a guaranteed weekly wage of £9 ss, was referred to the Abattoir Committee. On the recommendation of the Domain Committee it was decided that a section of macrocavpa hedge or> siting the Domain on Peter Street be removed to give a view of the grounds.

The matter of a donation to the funds of the Health Camp Committee was left in the hands of the Mayor.

Those present were: The Mayor (Dr. J. Connor), Messrs J. Thompson, W. H. Amos, W. S. Kerr, H. G. Ferrier, E. C. Bathurst, A. H. Fenn, H. W. Smallbone, W. H. Sarney and A. H. Todd.