TOWN HALL SKATING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 92, 18 April 1912, Page 4

TOWN HALL SKATING.

AN EXPLANATION BY THE TOWN CLERK. In case our readers should bo under liny misapprehension with regard to the actions of Mr. Skoglund, the Town Clerk, in respect to the arrangements with Messrs. Mercer and Drake, and their skating enterprise, our representative interviewed the Town Clerk this morning, and the following is Mr. Skoglund’s reply to the letter published yesterday. The minute in the Council’s records is as follows“ That Messrs. Mercer and Drake’s offer to rent the Town Hall for skating he accepted, provided the hall is taken on every available night for five months, and at least two afternoons in each week, during that period. The tariff to be £1 for each evening from 7.30 till 10.30, ami 10s for each afternoon from 10 till 5 o’clock, and 5s per hour or part hour extra if hall is used after 10.30 p.m.” With this authority the Town Clerk wrote this letter:— “Mr. T. Mercer, “Stratford. “Dear Sir,—l have to advise that the Council has considered the oiler of 14th inst., made by yourself and Mr. Drake, and their decision is as follows: “You may have the use of the hall on the following terms —viz. : That you agree to take the hall every available night for five months, and at least two afternoons : n eaci week. Tariff £1 per night, and 10s, for afternoons. Honrs: afternoons 2 till 5, evenings 7.30 to 10.30. “Should the hall he used after 10.30 p.m. the tariff to be 5s extra for each hour or part of hour after that time. “Kindly advise if these terms are acceptable, and if so the date on which you require the hall. “Yours faithfully, “(Signed) P. SKOGLUND, “Town Clerk.” On receipt of the above lette; Mr. Drake called on the Town Clerk and asked him to insert a clause providing that the hall would not be let to any other person or persons for skating. The Town Clerk informed Mr. Drake that without the permission of the act-ing-Mayor or the Town Hall Committee he could not comply with his request. The matter was referred to the Town Hall Committee,_ and they advised the Clerk to wait for the full meeting of the Council. Yesterday Messrs. Mercer and Drake again waited on the Town Clerk who explained the position to them. Councillor King was present ir the office at the time, and after having the position explained to them, Messrs. Mercer and Drake cordially agreed that the course taken by the Town Clerk was a correct one. Mr Skoglund asks ns to state that he did not tell Mr. Drake that he thought it was understood by the Council that the hall was not to he let to any other person for dealing, hut as this <I id not appear in the resolution of the Council, he could not insert the clause they desired without permission.