SKATING SYNDICATE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 91, 16 April 1912, Page 2

SKATING SYNDICATE.

AND THE TOW.N HALL

. The terms under which the Town Hall is being let to a skating syndicate came up for consideration at the Borough Council's meeting last night, when tiie following letters re this matter were received:—

. The Proprietor's of the Coronation Skating Rink advised the Council that it was not fair to them that they should not be allowed to book the Town Hall for certain dates on which to hold a skating carnival, owing to the Council having made arrangements with a certain skating syndicate. The letter went on to .say: "We don't see why a public hall should be bound up in that way. We made our application, we believe, before any papers were signed, and do not see how you can reasonably ban' us. If you do not let us have the hall, the only thing we can do is to consider building an up-to-date skating rink." A letter was also received from Messrs. Mercer and Drake, stating that they were under a misunderstanding with regard to the Town Hall. They understood that the floor was tc be ready for skating, and that they did not have to shift the forms and chairs in and out every time they needed the hall. They were under, the impression that it was the caxettxer's work. Cr! Boon moved that tile contract with Messrs. Mercer and Drake be agreed ito. ■ i Cr. , Paget said he did not think any individual should be given an exright. If others wanted to use't'h'e : Town Hall, 'and were prepared to gi-ve even Jmpr.jcl than the syndicate was giving... c]k:>'.. should bav-

die right to book it when they wanted it. lie referred to the fact that a (linking Club was got up last year. and was still in existence. It was the source of considerable revenue to the Borough. The Town Hall was let to two individuals over the Club's heads, and' under much'. 1 'More favourable term's than it was let to the Kinking Club last year. He'did not think that Cr. liopn wa.s aware of this side of the case when he moved that the eontract with the syndicate be agreed to. Furthermore, the Rinking Club had agreed to use only skates which would not harm the floor. Without this precaution, and with the kind of skates that would possibly be used by come of the people now using the hall, the floor would he absolutely destroyed for dancing purposes at least. Cr. King pointed out that the Rinking Club only wanted the Towr (Tall for two nights a week, and one afternoon. The syndicate took i: every night, as well as in the afternoon. It was a wry good income t( the Council.' and they must understand this, that unless the syndicate got it every night, they would not take it at all.

Cr. Paget repeated his former re mark. If people came along and hooked the hall at ordinary tariff rates tho\ should be allowed to have it. At all events, if they were going to affirm another principle, notice of motion would require to he given. The Mayor said the matter had been d'seussed while he was away. In his opinion the hall had been let too cheaply. Mr. Barlow had told him thai he could not possibly remove the chairs every day, and they had to pay a man 2s (id to do this. Then the lighting cost 7s 6d, so there was not much left for profit. They had received an offer of £2 7s (3d for the use of the hall on certain nights by another concern.

Cr. Paget said that they had been given no opportunity to discuss the matter. He himself was unable to be present at the meeting when the matter had come up. He moved that as Messrs. Drake and Mercer had refused to the contract on the terms offered them, the matter be hrouglr. up again at next Council's meeting. This was changed to a notice of motion, Cr. P>oon also giving notice of motion that the hall be granted to Messrs. Mercer and Drake, on the terms n entioned, provided they undertake the responsibility of removing and replacing the chairs.