THE PROPOSED TOWN HALL AT MILTON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12414, 25 July 1902, Page 3

THE PROPOSED TOWN HALL AT MILTON.

TO THE EDITOR. Sin,—The matter of the proposed Town Hall at Milton has of late attracted a considerable amount, of attention Jocally and elsewhere, and, by your leave, I propose showing that the idea has by no means been received as enthusiastically as would appear from what 'has been published locally in connection with the subject. At the' last meeting of ratepayers hold on Monday ovening, Mr H. M. Marryat-fc ask'ed. tins chairman -whether the supporters of the scheme could give any idea of what the yearly income would be to pay the interest on the proposed loan. To the surprise of not a, few the chairman characterised this question as " impertinent, coming as it did after .he (the chairman), in his introductory speech, had stated that a number of gentlemen w?re willing to enter into a bond to guarantee for five years any deficit between the income, from the hall and the amount of interest." Mr' Mavryatt contended that his query was a nertinent one—in faot, the question which the ratepayers had to consider: and the chairman apologised for his uncalled-for remark. It has been stated that there were 100 persons present and that a motion to take a poll of the ratepayers was carried by an overwhelming majority. The facts are that there wore only 75 persons present (a very small proportion of the total ratepayers), and that fully half of those 75 did not vote either way. It was to be expected that the supporters of the proposal would have brought something to show that the erection of such a building was warranted; but beyond statements tliat the edifice would bo an ornament to the

| town there .was nothing of the kind produced. The Mayor. Mr D. Reid, and Mr T. Allchin advocated ihe project, and those who oppo:"d it were Messrs .1. Hollick, IT. M. MarryaU.and A. Stewart. Surprising as it may swun, the only figure* produced as to the borough's income were brought before the meeting bv one of tho latter party, and he forcibly showed that the borough's financial position did not parrant such an expenditure. Mr D. Reid, commenting on what Mr Hollick said about, tile Lawrence Town Hall, produced figures showing that the yearly 'income from that, hall was £135, but naively forgot to mention until a query was put to him that in this sum £50, with which that Borough Council debits itself for vearlv" rental, was included. Now. as Mr Hollick slated, there arc several halls capable, of accommodating altogether 1700 persons—more than the total population of Milton. A great point of the proposed hall's supporters is that they would lie able to let the hall to travelling companies, (o benefit societies, etc. What about the oilier halls? Do they imagine that none of these would receive a share of such custom? And supposing that the proposed Town Hall received it all, the receipts would not by any means be what some persons anticipate". The friendly societies have in the past been most liberally' treated for their ball accommodation, and one would imagine are not likely to change Iheir present comfortable 'and specially designed quarters. It is said that the interest on the loan would be £120 a year. But surely such a building would .require the services of a caretaker whose services would hardly be given gratis. Many other aspects of the question could be mentioned, but their enumeration would lake up too much of your space. Milton Borough, after providing for the salaries of its permanent employees, has little enough to spend on new works, and if a large Town Hall is erected tho amount for that purpose will he. less. The time has not yet arrived for going in for a largo Town Hall building for a town of Milton's population. Mr 1). Eeid tersely pointed out that, with the exception of the banks and church buildings, there wore no ornamental buildings in Milton. Quite true; but at the. same, time there are plenty of vacant sections for the exorcise of local enterprise in the way of ornamental buildings in Milton. In conclusion, if tho gentlemen who are to become guarantors are so sure about the hall being such a , payable thing, could they not manage to erect a palatial hall as a private speculation, and so grab all the profits? Those with money to lend have a difficulty in getting much more than 4J or S per cent., and, now.the matter has been touched upon, it ( is within the realms of probability that an'effort will be put forth to secure the good thing! By the way, as to first-class travollintr theatrical companies coming to Milton if there was a big hall, do those who hold that view know bow many such companies annuaHv visit Tnvercargill, with its population of 6000? There a roacious theatre is but rarely occupied by such companies, unless it be that they are en route to or from Melbourne. Before first-class theatrical.companies visit Milton, jho uresent residents of Milton will not be' troubled at all about taking tickets for either tho dress circle or the pit. And thonyli the Borough Council has lately been dabbling m .water and lighting, it .'might have delayed a little ere proceeding to cater for the convenience of theatrical companies, and, if looking for an outlet for paying enterprise, proceed to spend a little on the main road' through the town, which has been jicgle'eteu for years past, and in some places is nearly down to the clay,—l am, etc., Ratepayer.