Many visit Town Hall

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33110, 28 December 1972, Page 2

Many visit Town Hall

The Christchurch Town Hall was a popular attraction for residents and visitors to the city yesterday. Town Hall staff estimated that probably more than 3000 adults and children in family groups inspected the facilities. An official said the crowd was one of the largest to visit the Town Hall in recent weeks, although the actual number could only be estimated because people had been free to come and go as they pleased.

The crowd, which included many overseas visitors, particularly Austra- ; lians, kept staff busy sell- ' ing soft drinks, and cups of tea and coffee in the up- : stairs foyer.

The coffee bar in the main foyer, downstairs, will open in about two weeks.

The James Hay Theatre was closed to the public during the afternoon but about 150 people took part in three guided tours of the complex in the morning and saw the theatre and the facilities backstage. The doors were locked to protect expensive equipment inside the theatre.

The technician at the Town Hall, Mr J. W. McKay, said barriers were planned to provide sufficient access for visitors to see into the theatre when it is not in use, but he could not say when they were likely to be in use.

The staff would be , kept busy by the 1973 programme, said Mr McKay.

The Town Hall is already fully booked from midFebruary to November. Visitors yesterday showed considerable interest in the Ferrier fountain but it had to be turned off in the middle of the afternoon so that leaves coukl be cleared from the pool and water filter.

The strong wind yester- : day also provided another problem — water blown from the fountain into the Avon River caused the water level to fall. Loss of water can cause the motor

pump to siphon air and cause over-heating.