SYDNEY TOWN HALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20312, 20 July 1929, Page 14

SYDNEY TOWN HALL.

MODERNISING PROPOSALS. RENOVATION OF ORGAN. The great organ of tho Sydney Town Hall is to be modernised at a cost exneeding £15,000. A similar, or larger, amount is to be expended in improving tho facilities of the Town Hall as the principal city auditorium. Provision is to bo made for tho accommodation of guests at cabaret dances. Tho lown clerk, Mr. Layton, stated recently that it would take some years to carry out all the improvements to tho organ and the hall that were contemplated. Work was already proceeding on the organ. This included the synchronising on modern lines of tho action connecting the keyboard with tho pipes. A now engine had been installed. Later, tho pitch of the organ would bo altered so that it could be used for concert purposes. "The builders of tho organ assure us," added Mr. Layton, "that when the alterations and renovations now approved of have been completed the Town Hall organ will still be the best organ of its kind in Australia, and be among tho world's leading gre.lt organs." Bet er heating and ventilation is to bo piovided in the main hall, so that it will l>e warmer in winter and cooler in summer than is possible under present arrangements. Tho seating in the body of the hall is to bo made more comfortable. Tho style of the now scats has not yet been decided upon. However, the greatest innovation that will bo mado is in accommodation for cabaret dances. Temporary fittings are to bo provided to parti ion off tho spaco under the galleries so that it can be used for private - parties when dances are being held in the Town Hall. Patrons will bo able to biro a section of this space for the nigh', and there entertain their guests at supper. This will provent tho rushes for the basement at the supper interval, which is one of tho most serious inconveniences to which at, nuMic receptions and dances at tho Town TT"'I are suh'octed. The vestibule will be chanced from n cold, wipdv c'onkroom to a well-furnished and eom f orlnl'lo lounge, which will movide a meeting room for parties a'tending fimc'ions at the Town H'dl. The cloakroom accommodation will also bo improved.