The Concert Hall.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17748, 27 April 1923, Page 8

The Concert Hall.

Although the proposal to raise a loan to build a Concert Hall on tlxe Man'■hi'ster street site was carried by only v. small majority of ratepayers, the proper course has been followed, and the project will in time adequately justify itself. The scheme had inucii to commen'l it. Tlio site, a most valuable and suitable one, was really costing nothing so far as the Concert Hall was coneernud. Its acquisition formed part of a purchase previously authorised by the ratepayers, and its non-use was a factor never contemplated. The necessity for a concert hall is freely admitted, and the erection of the building will do much to encourage and develop

musical, dramatic, and other arts in the community. The argument that those who wanted the hall should pay for it themselves was not altogether sound, for the reason th-.it tho musical and other societies who will occupy it aro carrying out in the main voluntary and honorary w-orlc for the community's good, and should certainly not bo denied such provision as may properly be made by the community in the way of a building where the concerts and other demonstrations may

be given. It depends largely on the construction of the new hall what measure" of revenue it will earn. Equipped for thoatrical performances and suited equally for concert work, it should bo iu occupation for tho greater part of the year, and in place of a call being made upon the ratepayers to provide any deficiency on a year's operations, the new hall should return a profit. The fear that tho erection of ft Concert Hall will prejudice the chances of a Town Hall is

quite ill-founded, for if the former turns out a financial success, thejji il. will be one of the strongest arguments available for entering upon the larger project. lii any event the loan for the Concert Hall will be repaid in twenty years, and the city will then have a free asset, one ever increasing in value and providing a larger and larger income, which might quite properly be applied to help meet the annual charges on the Town Hall loan. We feel satisfied that the decision of the ratepayers as recorded yesterday will fully justify itself.