THAT TOWN HALL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 298, 15 December 1914, Page 2

THAT TOWN HALL.

MADAM BERNARD’S LEASE. The subject of the lease of the Town Hall again engaged the attention of Councillors at the monthly meeting last night. Madam Bernard wrote as follows: Referring to my previous letters to you of September and October, and your replies thereto, I have again to request that you relieve me from the conditions under which the Town Hall was let to me. I do not want to go over again the reasons for my application, which are fully set out in my first letter to you. As I said then, and repeated subsequently, and once more say, it is quite impossible for me, to continue paying rent for the Town Hall. Matters are no better now than when I first wrote you. At £3 per week I should still lose money. The takings from my own picture show have fallen off greatly in the last few months, and I am contemplating in the New Year opening my picture show only three nights a week. I hope that at the next meeting of the Borough Council you will favorably reconsider my application, and if you can see your way clear to cancel the existing agreement.

His Worship said that at a previous meeting it was agreed to reduce the hall rent by £1 per week, making it £5. Under the exceptional circumstances due to the- war, while they could not cancel the agreement, they should meet Madam Bernard in every way. The term would be up in June. He moved that the rent be further reduced £1 per week. Cr. King said that at last meeting His Worship moved that the reduction be £2, and he (the speaker) also moved that it be reduced £1 10,s, but both motions were objected to, and £1 reduction was carried. Now he did not feel inclined to go back on the matter after the resolution of the Council.

€r. Boon said he did not fully understand that Madam Bernard was having such a bad run when he voted against the reduction. Cr. Reader said he objected to , reducing the hall rent. If Madam Bernard was losing money it was her fault and not the ratepayers. Cr. Richards was sympathetic, but was not inclined to give away the ratepayers’ money. His Worship said that on two previous occasions he had agreed to breaking the agreement, but of course two blacks did not make a white. Under the circumstances he considered the Council should endeavour to meet Madam Bernard. The resolution eventually carried was that the rent be reduced £1 per week, making £4 per week, on condition that the agreement of the Council be fulfilled.