TOWN HALL CONCERTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1009, 27 June 1930, Page 16

TOWN HALL CONCERTS

MAY BE ABANDONED BY CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE TO REPORT Whether the municipal organ recitals and choir concerts in the Town Hall should be continued, in view of heavy losses during the past three years, is to be a consideration of the Finance Committee of the City* Council. This, the council decided last evening after moderating the motion of Cr. Grey Campbell to have Crs. G. W. i Hutchison, H. P. Burton, E. J. Phelan j and himself confer with the commit- ‘ tee on the question. Cr. Grey Campbell had had a statement of the returns of the municipal concerts prepared by the City Treasurer. In presenting this report to the council, he submitted that there was sufficient evidence to warrant a close inquiry into the advisability of continuing the concerts when it seemed apparent that they were not appreciated by the public for which they were conducted.

Expenditure had been much in excess of the revenue. In 3 927-28 the revenue had been £267 and the expenditure £1,302; in 1928-29, £174 revenue and £1,239 expenditure; and 1929-30, £95 revenue and £1,233 expenditure. In seconding, Cr. W. H. Murray warned the council against excessive expenditure. If the public did not want the concerts it was time they were abandoned. Other countries employed the system of an honorary organist, and Auckland could perhaps follow with advantag'e. Cr. T. Bloodworth regarded the motion to have four councillors associated with the Finance Committee somewhat as a sign of no-confidence in the committee. His amendment to delete the four names was seconded by Cr. .T. It. Lundon and carried.

“If a report is brought down involving the dismissal of a. man, on the eve of retirement, I shall oppose it strongly,” Cr. Hutchison notified the council.