THE CHORAL HALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 168, 16 July 1907, Page 3

THE CHORAL HALL.

PURCHASE BY THE UNIVERSITY.

At the meeting of the University College Council yesterday afternoon, considerable discussion arose in connection with the "proposed purchase of the Choral Hall lor University extension purposes. Mr Gerald Peacocke, chairman in the absence of Sir Maurice O'Rorke at Wellington, presided.

A letter was read from Mr Henry Brett, drawing attention to the fact that, on June 20, on behalf of the Choral Society and debentures holders, he wrote to the Council stating the terms upon which they were prepared to dispose of the property to the Council. These terms, briefly, were £4000 cash (which included a personal donation from himself of £500), and that the building should not become available till the Town Hall was procurable for the various societies' concerts. Up to June 27 no official notification had been made to him that his letter had received consideration at the hands of the Council. But two days earlier, on June 25, there had appeared in the morning paper an intimation that the Council had concluded negotiations for the Choral Hall, and that it would be available foy university purposes. In the first place, he considered that he had been discourteously treated in the communicating of the Council's decision to the public Press before notifying him, and secondly, a wrong impression had been given by the conditions under which the sale was made not being stated.

Mr Peacocke said that, prior to Sir Maurice O'Rorke's departure for Welling-

ton, he had read Mr Brett's letter of protest. Sir Maurice had added a note that he (Sir Maurice) had not divulged the information, and regretting that Mr Brett should think that the Council had treated him with scant courtesy, when such treatment was naturally not intended. Mr Peacocke said that personally he concurred in Sir Maurice's note. Subsequently he had seen Mr Brett, and explained that the Coupcil had nothing to do with the matter appearing in the Press prior to the official intimation being sent. He regretted that Mr Brett should think he liad been treated disrespectfully in this matter.

A letter was also read from Messrs Devore, Martin and Prendergast, notifying that they had conferred with Mr Brett, as representing the owners of tfie Choral Hall, and his terms were: —To retain the use of the Choral Hall for the Society until the Auckland Town Hall was completed and ready for the occupation of the Choral Society. Mr Brett agrees that the Council should have the use of a portion of the Choral Hall site (at the back) upon which to erect a small building.

Bishop Neligan asked if it would not be as well to enter upon the minutes an expression of regret that Mr. Brett was not promptly informed of the decision of the Council. No doubt it was due to inattention that the letter was not sent at. once to Mr. Brett. It was most unfortunate that the matter should leak out to the Press until the whole thing was completed.

Mr. Peacocke said he intended moving that Mr. Brett be informed of the regret of the. Council that the decision of the Council was made public before lie was notified of the fact.

Mr. Tole said it was doubtful if that would be wise. The Council passed a public resolution accepting the terms of Mr. Brett's letter, and the fact then became public property. Still, he might say he was not the delinquent.

The chairman said Mr. Brett's offer was referred to a committee, and the report of that committee was given at a special meeting of the Council, at which it was decided to accept the offer.

Dr. McDowell: Were the Press invited to that meeting?

The chairman said the Press were not invited, and, reporters were present. The only ttiing to be regretted was that the decision was published before Mr. Brett had received formal notice.

Mr. Tole said it was unfortunate that Mr. Brett was not notified, because he was at a meeting of the committee of the Choral Society that night, and, although the decision of the Council was in print, Mr. Brett, when asked, was forced to state he had nothing to report, not having received official intimation.

The chairman moved that a letter be written to Mr. Brett, expressing the Council's regret that he did not get formal official intimation of the Council's decision to purchase the Choral Hall.

Mr. Tole said, strictly speaking, that was wrong, because a decision arrived a.t fn a meeting of the Council, held at 4.15 o'clock in the aiternoon, would appear., in the Press before a letter posted could reach the person to whom it was sent.

The chairman said they could fairly express regret that Mr. Brett was not promptly notified. Of course, reporters had a perfect right to report a decision arrived at by the Council. The motion was then agrefd -o. Mr. Wells asked if Mr. Brett had any control of the site on which the Choral Hall was situated. The chairman said Mr. Brett had. no control over the site, but, of course, the Council could not erect buildings which would block the entrance to the Choral Hall. The Council were aware of this at the time of negotiations. The letter from the solicitors was then referred to Messrs. Tole and Peacocke to confer and report upon.