THE ST. GLAIR PAVILION

Evening Star, Issue 15020, 31 October 1912, Page 7

THE ST. GLAIR PAVILION

TO BE FURNISHED BY THE ... . COUNCIL AND A MANAGER APPOINTED. At last the City Council havo cohio to a'definite decision in regard-to the St. Clair Pavilion. Last evening tho Tramways Committee, in a .supplementary report, submitted tho followitfg : Your committee beg to report that thoy have not been successful in their further efforts to obtain a lessee for the St.. Clair pavilion, and, in such circumstances, now beg to recommend that the tramway manager bo empowered to furnish the building suitably for a tea room, as per schedule herewith, at an estimated cost of £3OO, and that the committee be authorised to appoint a manager to run the promises for tho council.

Or Myors moved the adoption of tho ieport. Pie said that the committee had been unsuccessful in their efforts to obtain a tenant for tho building. It was' with regret that thoy found themselves in this position. They did not wish to interfere in any way with private enterprise, but they hoped that when they wcre_ ablo to demonstrate that the pavilion, with its concert hall, bathiii" boxes, cold shower baths, tea rooms" and a balcony tea gardens, was a satisfactory speculation, some person would come along and tako it over from them. They did not intend to engage a manager for any length of time. His engagement could bo terminated immediately it was shown that it was a legitimate and good speculation. If they received any reasonable offer at all they would bo only too glad to accept it. He wished to emphasise the fact that they did not wish to interfere with pnvato enterprise. Cr Burnett seconded the motion pro forma. Ho wanted to know whether tho committee or tho council wero to appoint a manager. The Mayor: The committee ask to appoint a manager. Cr Carroll said in his opinion the furnishing could not bo done for £3OO. There would, in addition, be a further sum for the manager, and he thought it meant altogether tho expenditure of another £I,OOO. Cr Sullivan said he presumed if they appointed a manager they would havo to pay him. Had any effort been made to let someone have the tea rooms free ?

Cr Myers: We have had no applications at all. Everyone knew that it would be free so far as the tea rooms wore concerned.

Cr Sinclair moved as an amendment that the recommendation bo referred back to the committee. He thought that they as a council had no right to speculate with the citizens' money, because this was speculation pure and simple. They might lose hundreds of pounds in the year over an undertaking such as this. This pavilion was now public property, and the people were entitled to use it. His idea was that a caretaker should be put in at a small salary with instructions to look after the premises. Let tho people use the bathing boxes at a nominal charge, and also the centro of tho building for shelter. "

Cr Hancock seconded. The building, ho said, should bo opened to the public! A caretaker should bo appointed at once. He hoped that the placo would be thrown open to tho public right away.

Cr Marlon said the council could not afford to appoint attendants for the conveniences. Tho pavilion must be made a going concern if it was to bo of any use to the people. He said give it a chance. It was there, and let them make tho best thev could of it. Cr Clark congratulated the committee on their pluck in bringing forward this recommendation. If tho tramway* manager furnished it well-and they got a good manager it would prove a sound business proposal for tho council. Cr Duncan said it would bo a mistake for them not to do something as things now stood. He would give"the committee.his hearty support. The amendment was lost on the voices,-and the committee's recommendation adopted.