MILBURN HALL AFFAIRS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22831, 16 March 1936, Page 13

MILBURN HALL AFFAIRS

TO THE EDITOR Sir, —It is now nearly seven months since our antiejuated “ white elephant the addition to our Public Hall—was erected and duly opened, but so far I have been unable to see any benefits derived thereby, as promised by Air Elliott in his remarks. In fact, 1 think the way in which the building has been erected affords cause for complaint. During this rough weather one finds that the water has entered the anterooms, and, once inside, one can see daylight through places in the timber, especially under the windows. This Mr Elliott claims to be a first-class “ job.” The conveniences especially that outside, also call for comment, and, personally, I regard them as discreditable to our little township, and I therefore suggest that better sanitary arrangements be carried out to the satisfaction of the health authorities, as our public school is not 50 yards away. Now I come to our social or supper room. This in the earlier part of last year was claimed as a useful asset to our hall. It is an inconvenience rather than an asset. I understand it was to simplify supper arrangements, but on the opening of it seven months ago it went to prove that it was useless. While the dancing was in progress people from the first sitting were coming out while those in the next lot were struggling to get in, the result being that there were only three sets of dancers on the floor, the rest of the floor being occupied with thefee waiting to refresh “ the inner man.” Then, again, I understood that our social room would have been available for social evenings, but our just and true hall trustees have advised that on no account must this room be utilised for dancing, thus what benefits are to bo derived? Judged by the number of times the building has been utilised, it would take years to pay off the debt out of the revenue, but the public is to be commended on the way it has emptied its purses to have this “ white elephant ” erected. Needless to say, there is still a sum outstanding; how much, I don’t know. I have been waiting patiently day by day to see the balance sheet published, but perhaps the secretary responsible is too busy with other union affairs to advise tlie public respecting the true financial position. The public subscribed the cash to carry out the building, and. so I make a demand for the produtcion of this financial statement. As it may be like a “ jigsaw puzzle ” to make out a statement, may I suggest that the committee responsible call in an auditor for the purpose? Other concerns make a practice of issuing a financial statement as soon as the work has been completed, but in our case we may probably see a balance when the building has been completely paid off. If such is the case, then -we may have to wait for seven months or more. As I believe there is to be a dance and euchre tournament in the hall on Saturday evening next, I shall, along with other local residents, hope to see a financial statement hanging somewhere in the hall.

Now, Sir, on top of our building scheme, the trustees have seen fit to call tenders for a caretaker. This is going to cause more expense. In the past, if a committee wished to utilise the building for any purpose, then that committee had to have the hall cleaned, the trustees charging them for doing it. I suppose that now the charges shall be double. But when I come to sum things up the hall is not utilised very much. There arc only three or four dances in the winter time, but as the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union utilises the hall every second month for its meetings perhaps some interested person will advise if the caretaker is for the union’s special benefit. I believe the trustees have made a mistake in calling for a caretaker, as, to judge from what occurs outside when a dance or concert is held, a barman would be a more suitable appointment.—l am, etc., Colonel Boqev. Milburn, March 9.

[Mr Elliott, to whom reference is made in the above letter, lias supplied us with the following statement: —“Owing to the exposed situation of the hall in Milburn, no exception can be taken to a slight seepage under the window sashes during the recent severe storms. Until the Milburn Hall Improvement Committee of 14 was selected Ijy the district residents at a public meeting, the antiquated white elephant had no outside conveniences whatever. The supper room had proved itself an asset to the hall, and at no time was it ever intended as a dance room. As regards the balance sheet, a statement was given to the public on the opening night, and in the meantime “Colonel Bogey ” can inspect this, duly audited, by communicating with the secretary. During last year the hall was utilised for over 40 engagements, and out of this number the small proportion of seven only were hired and paid for bv the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union. Our committee and the hall trustees are not responsible for what goes on outside the hall.”— Ed.. O.D.T.]