Municipal Theatre And Borough Building

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 151, 29 June 1938, Page 8

Municipal Theatre And Borough Building

SCHEME TURNED DOWN ALTERNATIVE OFFER MADE Mr. Stowe, architect for Now Zealand Theatres, Limited, waitod on the Pahiatua Borough Council in reference to tlio building of a new theatre and municipal building combined on Monhad been rcce from two firms fi — day evening, . -mg that quotations had been received from two firms giving the cost of the building, plus heating, lighting and decorating, at £12,000. With seating accommodation for 700 tho amount would be £14,500, which entailed tho council in an expenditure of £SIOO. This caused tho council seriously to think, as it would involve that body in a weekly cost of £7 on its share of tho capital charge. Cr. Carthew wondered whether they should not consider putting up a theatre only on tho present site of the theatre, without providing for a council chamber. Seven pound a week was too much to pay for a now council chamber, and tho people would never agree to it. Cr. Brown: There would be a library, too. Cr. Judd thought £BOO was enough to pay for the present theatre site and said if they wanted £I2OO for it the picture company did not want a new theatre.

Tho mayor stated that the companyhad to pay off the amount of their mortgage on the present building. The view was held that on these figures the schemo was likely to "fizzlo out’’ and it was considered that the alternative was to purchase the present site and erect a theatre only.

A proposal to this effect was made by Crs. Watson and Hodd, this embodying a poll of the ratepayers, and the motion was carried unanimously.