CANTERBURY HALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13936, 19 December 1905, Page 4

CANTERBURY HALL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sii"—The generous offers of Sir John Hall, the Hon H. F. Wigram and others emboldens me to make an appeal to all those shareholders who are in sympathy with the suggestion that the City Council should secure this property for public purposes. The unfortunate deadlock that has arisen between the directors and the Council will, I fear, preclude the former from taking action as suggested by Mr Wigram. The Mayor has convened a meeting of the Council for Thursday next to receive the,deputation appointed at the late public meeting. The position of the deputation would be greatly strengthened if they could show an increase in the number of shares that woidd be made a free giftto the city. I should therefore be very pleased to receive any additional promises of shares from those who are prepared to assist in this direction. ' In addition to the liberal gifts of Sir John Hall (£100) and the Hon H. F. Wigram (£200), the following have intimated their willingness to support the movement by the gift of shares to the value stated, and to accept city debentures for a term of years with a low rate of interest for the balance (if any):— Anonymous (£200), A. Kaye (£25), Dr Russell (£ ), J. A. Frostick (£SO), W. Devonish Meares (£25), M. Macfarlane, president of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association (£ ). The above represent all the shares held by them. Mr G. Bowron has also promised to give to the city one-half of his shares. This brings up a total of over £7OO in three days, and I have every reason to anticipate that before Thursday the list will have considerably increased, thus giving the City Council practical evidence of the earnestness of these moving in the agitation.-—I am, etc., . THOMAS GARRARD. P-S.—The within blanks areunavoidable, owing to the holidays.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I quite agree Avith the Mayor that we do not Avant the Canterbury Hall or any such building in any such a locality for a Town Hall, and I applaud ms opposition to the proposed purchase of a “ AA’hite elephant ” from a number of very disappointed share or debenture holders. I need say no more regarding the Canterbury Hall than that it is a ghastly failure in every respect. It possesses neither beauty, strength, acoustic properties or anything else to recommend it. To use an adage GomeAvhat obsolete, “ it is neither fish, flesh, foAvi nor good red herring.” It could not be made into either a theatre, concert-ioom or decent hall without being razed to the ground and reconstructed throughout. Even the late Mr Duval, who Avas acknowledged to be facile princeps in theatrical architecture (as was proved in his construction of the Timarn Theatre 1 for Mr Mess Jonas), coukl not comber t so ungainly a structure into a decent building suitable. either for a theatre or music-hall. Therefore, all honour to Mr C. M. Gray for opposing the purchase of a derelict building. Early settlors null remember that in all respects the city Avas AA'ell provided with reserves for all purposes, amongst them a Toavix Hall site, Avhich if not used for that purpose, must be forfeited to the Ctoavu. And this site, it must be remembered, Avas chosen Avhen sites Avere available everywhere, and Avas selected by the men to Avhom aa'c are noAv so vastly indebted for the city reserves, sqiuares, educational and other spaces. And it was selected between victoria Street and Colombo Street on account of the height of the land and conspicuous elevation Avhich the hall would command. The above can bo proved by reference to records, and it behoves the citizens and the City Council to pause before anything is. don© to counteract the intentions of the Pilgrim Fathers.—l am, etc., T.F.F.