USE OF MUSEUM THEATRE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28618, 21 June 1958, Page 16

USE OF MUSEUM THEATRE

Higher Fee May Be Charged A close study of expenses in letting the Canterbury Museum’* new lecture theatre has been kept by the senior custodian (Mr P. C. Graham). He has taken «uch keen interest that the Director (Dr. Roger Duff) invited him to report direct to the Museum Trust Board. Mr Graham said that in the six months the theatre has been open, it had been used by a range of about 15 societies, including the Royal Society, its field club, the Numismatic Society, Canterbury Pilgrims’ and Early Settlers’ Association, Friends of the Museum, China Society, and Workers’ Educational Association (all of which had links with the museum) and also by the Junior Geographical Society. Theatre Arts Guild. Royal Christchurch Musical Society, Classical Associaion, Fores and Bird Protection Society, Antarctic Society, and others.

This showed the demand on the Theatre; but the fees seemed inadequate to meet expenses, Mr Graham said. The Museum Trust Board had fixed charges at £2 for the theatre and £1 extra when the kitchen was used. But heating cost £1 an hour which exceeded the fee for an evening meeting in winter. To this must be added lighting about 10s, wear and tear, and other minor expenses.

The board asked the finance committee to review the fees. Dr. Duff said the committee might consider whether the theatre should pay its way or b* partly subsidised by the board in service to the public.