LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 14, Issue 114, 12 April 1870, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

The Editor. does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents. Sir,— As ah opinion seems prevalent that the building or the new Oddfellows' Hall was largely aided by public subscription, I will, with your permission, make a few observations in connection with the matter. The total amount subscribed by the public amounts to £39 65., with £12 net proceeds of a concert given by a number of gentlemen amateur minstrels. The entire aid thus afforded is a result of £51 6s. Excepting this sum, the cost of the building has been borne by the Oddfellows themselves. In reference to a generally expressed wish that the lining of the building should be at once proceeded with, I may observe that the Hall Committee intend to accomplish this desideratum as early as possible. Up to the present time, all proceeds of the Hall have been spent in its more urgent requirements. The committee consider it most prudent to remove present liabilities before incurring others of any considerable amount. An entertainment was announced by the Leotard troupe for the benefit of the Hall, to take place last Monday. The .announcement was made in the first instance without the knowledge or concurrence of any authorised member of the Napier Lodge. JN"o proceeds have been handed over to me, and as the gentlemen composing the troupe appointed their own money-takers, I can only suppose that they traded upon the necessities of the Hall for the purpose of attracting an attendance. In reply to one or two complaints of the high scale of charges, I may observe that the expense of lighting the Hall is from 12s. to 14s. per night, and that most of the travelling lessees of the Hall have admitted that the terms of letting are veryjreasonable,— l am.&c. _- W. W. Tates, Secretary O. H. Committee. Port Ahuriri, April 7, 1870.