THE TOWN HALL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 228, 21 June 1920, Page 5

THE TOWN HALL

AND SATURDAY EVENING LETTINGS. Up till a few months (or weeks) ago it was open for any management to book • tho Town Hall for a Saturday evening, but. the policy of late—whioli as far as can be ascertained from members has not boon nppreved by the City Counoil—is to reserve all Saturday evenings for tho organ recitals. Tho matter has oome under notice through a protest, which has been raised by Mr. Harold Bowden (representing J. and 1 N. Tait), who wished ■to include a Saturday evening in tho; Wellington season of Moieeiwitscb, the great Russian pianist, but has been notified that such is not possible, or, at least, lie will not be permitted to hire tho hallfor a Saturday evoning. As a manager introducing an artist of high standing, Mr. Bowden believes that such treatment is unfair, and docs not exist in any other part of tho world. They are able to book tho Sydnoy and Melbourne Town Halls for Saturdays tho same as any. other nigljt6 of tho week, and it appears to him to 1m a curious procedure that an equal privilego is not granted in Wellington. Tho city derives no ront from the organ rooitals. whilst tho revehuo „.doe& not' nearly oover tho expensed l OO f ' tho' other hand the full rent (,€18); would bo paid for tho night by a visiting artist, and a great musical treat would be afforded to 6ome 8000 people, whereas tho organ recitals are attended as a gonsral i 1 thing by from' 100 to 200 pooplo, ,