THE MUNICIPAL THEATRE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12350, 14 November 1905, Page 2

THE MUNICIPAL THEATRE.

THE PROJECT TO BE ABANDONED

The Municipal Theatre .Special Committee reported to the City tfeuncil -last evening tnat, " in view* of the facts tnat the Canterbury Hali Company intendto spend a_jarge sum of money in con- '" verting Canterou'ry Hall into a theatre, and tJjat tho proprietors ot the Theatre . Koy*l *re j>«>£ja*ed -to -forthwith erect a modern. and. up-to-dato, .theatre, mc committee recommends the Council to abandon the idea of establishing a Municipal theatre, and to grant a license for the Theatre itoyai for IUOU, and to undertake to jecomniend that a license be also granted for 1907, provided the contiact ior the new .theatre is signed not later than tho Ist June, 1900. The Mayor, who moved the adoption of the report, stated that he had seen a letter that day from t*.e Hon. Mr Pitt, of Victoria, a recognised authority on theatre architecture, showing that the proprietary of the present Theatre were taking steps iv connection with the erection ot a new and up-to-date building opposite tlie present one. They had on thy Special Committee two builders, and they recognised that in view of,tlie univercal demand in regard to building during Exhibition year, the proprietary should not be tied down to time.

Cr. (Kiev seconded the motion. Cr. Huist Seager urged that tlio Thoatus should not be granted* license unices the proprietary observed the bylaws more than tliey did. He alluded to the handing which made the exit from the Theatre to Gloucester street very dangerous. He also urged that it waii ab-olutelv criminal that loose chan_ should he allowed in any place of amusomeiit. The two small avenues in the Theatre were, the other night, he stated, also fitted up with chairs. Cr. Chick also spoke as to "the' alleged blocking of the avenues with chains on Friday and .Saturday night. Tho motion was carried.