Receipts from Town Hall far exceed estimates

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33065, 4 November 1972, Page 1

Receipts from Town Hall far exceed estimates

It was quite clear that receipts from the Town Hall facilities would far exceed the Town Hall Committee’s estimates, the City Treasurer (Mr L. A. G. Rich) reported to a meeting yesterday of the committee.

But he said that some of the extra gross revenue would be required to meet the cost of employing more staff than had been thought necessary.

The manager (Mr B. P. Connell) reported that rental earnings for October were $10,272 and that confirmed bookings for November would produce $BllO. This totalled nearly $lOOO more than the complex had been expected to earn during its first six months.

The estimated revenue from the catering concession had been $lB,OOO a year, but in the first month it had reached $5OOO, said Mr Connell. Net proceeds from the presentation of “Henry V” might well exceed $lO,OOO, and the committee’s share of the profits from a one-night popular concert was about $2OOO. More than 100,000 people

visited the Christchurch Town Hall in the first five weeks it was open, said Mr Connell. Organ fund Transfers from early profits and further donations had brought the organ fund to about $30,000, said the committee chairman (Mr H. G. Hay). Specific proposals for the organ would be considered at the committee’s next meeting. It was agreed that about $28,000 should be spent to provide further toilet facilities in the complex. Women’s toilets in the foyer will be doubled, and a further 700 square feet of floor space on the banquet hall floor will also be taken over for additional toilets.