HORTICULTURAL HALL

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 32, 7 February 1935, Page 9

HORTICULTURAL HALL

LOWER HUTT PROPOSATJ

ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING

A DEBENTURE FUND

The scheme for building a horti-_ cultural hall for the'Hutt Valley Hor-" ticultural Society was successfully launched by the president of the society, Mr. W. S. Patrick, at a largiand enthusiastic meeting of members last evening. The proposal provides for a hall which will have an overall depth of 150 ft, with a frontage of 45ft. The hall will front Ward Street adjacent to the bridge approaph, and will have a view in a northerly direction up High Street. The main hall will be 100 ft by 45ft exclusive of a stage 25ft 6ih by 22ft. There are to be two dressing-rooms, two reception-rooms, and a tearoom upstairs, overlooking the main halL 45ft by 22ft.: F . • ~^ The architect's,estimate of the cost is £2800, and of this sum it is hoped a building subsidy of £280 will be forthcoming from, the Unemployment Board. The site has been offered to the society by the Lower Hutt Borough Council for the sum of £100. DEBENTURE SCHEME. It is proposed to finance the scheme = by debentures bearing interest at 5 per cent., for ten years. Of the sum needed—some £2600—debentures for £1400 were taken up before the meeting closed. ■ ~ In his. opening* remarks Mr. PaW rick outlined the need for the society to have its own hall.. The hall at present used was all right in its way, but the members of the committee had to work'nearly all night before a. show, preparing for the fixture and the same afterwards clearing up. It cost the society £70 a year for five shows. The scheme which he outlined had been given great thought and had the approval of the finance committee, the executive, and the general committee of the society. The offer of a'freehold site for £100 in a central and commanding situation, which would be passed every day by persons crossing „ the bridge, was itself too good to be missed. ART UNION PROPOSED. It was proposed to ask for permission to hold an art union in aid of the fund, said Mr. Patrick. The income from rentals should amount on a conservative estimate to £300 per annum, and the whole of the expenditure should riot be more than £190, including interest. Mr. Norman B. Gibbons, a former president, then moved: "That in the opinion of this meeting the scheme for the erection of a hall, as outlined by the president, be proceeded with. We heartily 'endorse the proposal,: and authorise the committee to take every action necessary to carry forward the proposal to a successful conclusion. We recognise the necessity for the society to have its own hall, and we compliment the president on the work he has put into preparing this scheme." , The motion was seconded by Mr. Di A. Ewen. . Mr. S. M. Hobbs gave the scheme his. wholehearted'support. ■ - Mr. W. Wilson, supporting the motion, asked the president to make it clear that the building would not be subject to flooding. . In reply, the president stated that though the building would be on the river side of the. stopbank it would be eight feet above, ground levelj. and on a level with the top of the stopbank. ' .• » , In answer to a further inquiry, the president stated that the building at present used was about 80ft by 60ft, of which about 60ft by 60ft only was capable of being used. , .Mr. A, Grierson said a drawback to the present building was the insecure' tenure. , , ■ In reply to Dr. G. W. Harty, Mr. Patrick said that there wasToom on the site to extend the building some 60ft. < • • . ,■,■:.: Dr. Harty criticised the lighting and ventilation of the present building. In reply to, Mr. C. E. Dowland, Mr., Patrick said access could be had.from Market Street as well as Ward Street. The permission of the Hutt River Board had to be obtained in connection with an easement held by the board. ■ •"'•■• AN ALTERNATIVE PLAN. Mr. W. T. Strand said the scheme for a hall had his entire approval, but he would have liked to" have seen something better proposed. The late Mr. F. Cooper had had a scheme for! erecting a hall adjoining. Riddiford Park, which he would like to see considered. An .attractive building .with tearooms and other adjuncts could, if erected in the park and well lighted at night, be made the most attractive centre in Wellington, and ways and means could be found for such a centre to produce a large revenue. • • : Mr. C. C. Odlin supported Mr. Strand's proposal. " > Mr. A. Grierson said the Riddiford Park site had been considered, but was not considered as suitable as the; proposed site, for several reasons. Mr. E. E. Stoupe supported a-site adjoining Riddiford Park. -. The president said the present appearance of the proposed site was against it, but it was capable of being made very beautiful. Sir Alexander Roberts gave his wholehearted support to the proposal and congratulated the committee on its work. The site would possibly one day be opposite the Hutt Municipal Offices. . . ', Mr. Norman Gibbons made a plea' for carrying out the scheme as a whole.Mr. G. H. Savage considered there would be difficulty in the society's obtaining revenue if the building were placed on council property. Mr. Strand said that father than see the scheme dropped he would give his suDport to the proposed site. ' The motion was then put and carried without dissent.. - ...