ROXBURGH NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20786, 3 August 1929, Page 22

ROXBURGH NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) ROXBURGH, August 1. PROPOSED NEW HALL. During the past week much interest has been displayed in tho proposal of tho Borough Council to raise a loan of £SOOO for tho purpose of erecting a new picture concert hall and municipal chambers. I? or some time the council has been considering a suitable site, and finally, by a substantial majority, selected one in close proximity to the present hall. The cost of building on this site, including tho purchase of the section and the necessary street alterations, was approximately £5200. Last Tuesday evening a public meeting was held, to which the council submitted its proposals and explained various matters connected with the loan. The meeting was addressed by the Mavor and Crs Robb and Waigth, and in the discussion which followed it was mainfest that while the meeting, which was largely attended, was in favour of a new hall, it was opposed to the site chosen by the council. The estimated cost of shifting the present hall to the back of the section on which it now stands and re-erecting it in a sound condition is £750, and it was pointed out by the speakers against the proposed site, that the extra cost involved in building the new hall there would almost pay for this work, and enable the new building to be erected on the same section. ,In this way the picture theatre and a hall suitable for socials and similar gatherings would be under the one roof. This proposal had the-unani-mons support of the meeting, and the Mayor undertook, on behalf of the council, to abandon the site selected, and erect the new building on the site of the pre. sent hall. On this condition the loan proposal was submitted to the ratepayers ou Thursday, when an overwhelming vote was recorded in favour of the proposal. The voting was;—For the proposal, 101;

against, 25. Mora money will now be required by the council to enable the present hall to be removed and re-erected, but it is in the fortunate position of having a very strong mandate from the ratepayers to do this. Tim new hall, which will be constructed in brick and of ornamental design, will be a decided acquisition to the town. The picture and concert portion will provide seating for 428 people. In the front of the building provision will be made for municipal chambers, town clerk’s office, library, meeting room, and ladies’ rest room. The present hall, when removed to the rear of the section and enlarged, will be used for socials, dances, and similar gatherings. The whole scheme w r ill bo self-supporting, the present revenue from the hall being quite sufficient to meet all expenditure, including interest and sinking fund.