Hall for Lower Hutt

Hutt News, Volume 20, Issue 16, 18 September 1946, Page 7

Hall for Lower Hutt

FURTHER COUNCIL DISCUSSION. OPTION TO BE SOUGHT. A special meeting of the Lower Hull City Council was held on Saturday morning for the purpose of considering further the question of purchasing a hall at the Delta camp (Marlborough) and re-erecting it as a Little Theatre in Lower Hutt. Councillor E. P. Rothwell, in moving that the hall he purchased, said I hill such a hall was urgently needed by the Competitions Society, Repertory Theatre, Male Voice Choir, and other bodies, as well as for dances and civic functions. There was a move for the formation of an Orchestral Society and an Operatic Society, but these organisations were held up on account of having nowhere to operate. The matter of a permanent structure was an even more distant prospect than it was a year ago. Halls available were not. altogether suitable. The. Waterloo School assembly hall "was too far away and the King George Theatre had several disabilities — the rental was too high and the dressing-room accommodation inadequate. The revenue that could be expected from the hall if it was purchased would be quite substantial, for many bodies would be glad to make use of it. It was the duty of the City Council to provide facilities for cultural activities. Such an opportunity to purchase a real asset for the city would not occur again.

Councillor H. P. Muir, in seconding the motion, stressed the need of a "home" for the cultural activities of the city. Thousands of pounds hart been spent on playing fields and facilities for outside activities, and the City Council had nlr.o a duty to provide for the artistic needs of the people. Mayor Against Proposal.

Tin. Mayor stated that the hall was not worth the money that if would cost, and if it was erected here there would be a public demand lor its removal within ten years. The total cost would be over £10,00(1, and this would undoubtedly mean that the Council would have an audit tag on its books at the end of the financial year. Conditions had altered since the last meeting, continued Mr. Andrews. Kerridge Theatres had secured control of the King George Theatre, which would be brought up to the requirements of travelling companies and concert artists. The Horticultural Hall, which seats 700 people, was now available for local organisations, and with a small expenditure would take anything offer-

The motion was discussed for about two hours, opinion being fairly evenly divided on the question.

Refrains from Voting.

Councillor H. V. Horlor, who at a previous meeting had moved that the hall be purchased and when that motion was defeated was successful in getting a motion passed that 500 chairs be secured for community halls, said that he might be accused of cowardice, but he had decided to refrain from voting. (A voice: "I wish you hadn't got those chairs!")

After further discussion Councillor Rothwell amended his motion to read: "That an option for the purchase of the Delta camp theatre be secured, and that the building be removed to Lower Hutt and .reerected as a theatre after exercising the option, if within a month suitable alternative arrangements to the satisfaction 'of the Council have not been made for theatre accommodation." That would give an opportunity for those who had alternative proposals to bring them forward.

The Mayor said the amendment altered the complexion,of things and he would vote for it. Inquiries regarding the use of the Horticultural Hall would be made immediately.

The amended motion was carried unanimously.