Town Hall opening decision awaited

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32775, 27 November 1971, Page 18

Town Hall opening decision awaited

Until the Town Hall committee of local bodies in Christchurch made a decision about the opening ceremony and concerts of the new 7 Town Hall, the Christchurch Civic Music Council was virtually hamstrung, said the chairman (Mr K. R. Newson) at the annual meeting of the council last evening.

“As long as 14 months ago, this council began negotiations with the Christchurch City Council regarding the proposed commissioning of works and programmes for the opening of the new Town Hall,” said Mr Newson.

"But, as yet, no decision has been passed on to us.” ■ It originally had been planned to have a musical, dramatic and arts programme lasting about 10 to 14 days when the Town Hall was opened, but his proposal had been dropped because other organisations had booked the hall for their own events, he said.

“Now there is the possibility of a pre-opening ceremony concert, which would involve the Christchurch Civic Orchestra and local choirs and bands,” Mr Newson said. “Although certain proposals have been put before it, the council is concerned that little has yet been finalised, as not only

Sjmust works be composed, but _:they must be rehearsed in itime,” Mr Newson added. e ( .| NEW PIANO The council would order a ’■jconcert Steinway grand piano f | piano for the hall within the S next few weeks, said Mr e Newson. The piano would be financed from the $4OOO m * the piano sinking fund, set up to replace the grand piano in the Civic Theatre. This instru-

the Civic Theatre. This instrument would be kept by the council for use in the new James Hay Theatre. The latest price quoted for a new piano was $8145, and when money in the music.

: library and instruments fund i had been taken into account, about $3OOO would have to be raised by 1972, said Mr I Newson. Officers elected to the council. ’ were: Patron, Dr Vernon 1 ' Griffiths; president, Mr N. G. • Pickering; vice - presidents,! , Messrs C. L. Martin, V. C. ' Peters, Professor N. C. Phillips l and the Rt Rev. A. K. Warren; , chairman, Mr K. R. Newson; . secretary, Mrs R. W. Hendry;i 1 treasurer, Mr J. J. Cotter; honor-! ■ ary auditor. Mr J. I. Young; : » executive, Messrs J. F. Collins,; ' E. R. Field Dodgson, R. Harris, G. M. Martin. P. D. O’Meeghan.i R. E. Perks, J. Robertson, W. - Woodley and Mrs M. McG. Clark.; I Co-opted independent musicians: I 1 Dr C. Foster Browne, Mr A. W. , Mann and Mr Clifton Cooke.