THE TOWN HALL POLL

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 35, 18 March 1914, Page 6

THE TOWN HALL POLL

TO-DAY'S RETURNS. VICTORIA SQUARE MAINTAINS A STRONG LEAD. The feature of THE SUN'S poll regarding Town Hall sites up to 12 o'clock to-day is the improvement in the figures for Latimer SqUare, which is now third On the list. The polling shows conclusively, however, even at this stage, that the citizens want the Town Hall in Victoria Square. The following is the voting:— (1) Market Reserve site .. .. 953 (2) Provincial Council Chambers 179 (3) North side Victoria Square . . 821 (4) Corner Worcester Street and Cambridge Terrace .. 192 (5) Corner Gloucester Street and Durham Street .. . .. 109 (6) Corner Armagh Street and Oxford Terrace 135 (7) Latimer Square .F .. U 323 Voting papers, together with a map showing the various sites, can be obtained from any of THE SUN agents throughout the "city and suburbs, or at THE SUN office, /87 Worcester Street.

A halfpenny .stamp is sufficient .to put on the envelope, -which should be marked ' 'Town Hall Site Poll,'' and addressed to THE SUN. office.

THE TOWN HALL. To the Editor of THE SUN. Sir,—The proposal of the Citizen's Association to put., the Town Haill . in Market Square wants to be examined with a-criticallye$ and a listening, ear. The aite ? 8,8 a building, site; has its advantages and, disadvantages. In the case of a ToWn Hall, however, there are disadvantages of ; a very serious nature. T For instance, on the east and „west it is bounded by^electric car lines, and the noise of tlie rushing cars would be a serious interruption to any meeting or concert in the hall. On consulting the I find that between the' hours of 8 p.m. an(i 10 p.m. no fewer than 49 cars connected with the Papanui, Fendalton, "Cranford Street,' and Edgeware services, pass through the Market Square. The Citizens'. Association proposes to put the band rotunda on the site of tffb Queen's statue, and no doubt-the rotunda will" be-used by the anti-militarist, prohibition, and other, brands of leather-lunged speakers. The Salvation Army 'Baracks, are in. the near vicinity," and the band music is of a par* ticularly penetrating quality. With your permission we .will . imagine that Dolores is giving a concert in. the Town! Hall, and that she is wrestling! with the concluding spasms of Tosti's immortal, but impossible. "Goodbye! " This is a, . strictly prophetic forecast of what the audience would hear:

.. Dolores: What are we waiting for, O my heart? Kunired Cooke (on the Band Rotunda): Yea, you wage slaves, until• you crush the present capitalistic system under your hob-nailed boots— Papanui tram (en passant) : Swish—-bur-r-r-r —bang —-rattle. Dolores (singing): Kiss me straight; on the brow, and .part;—' ,

The Salvarmy (with band and torchlight effects): At the Cross where I first saw the light, and- the burden, etc.— Dolores : Again! Again! My heart! My heart! The "Edgew l a : re tram: Ah—;ah—a-a----a-a-h! Whoo3fi! Biff! *

I>olores (resignedly): What are we, waiting for, you and If. % The-Army: Drum and trombone duo.. Dolores (dramatically): Good-bye far evah! ,

Kumred Cooke: Out with Massey! Down with Joe Ward!' A Fendalton tram: Yah! O-o h. 0-o-o^-l

Dolores (.hopelessly):. Good-bye for evah, really!, Good-bye, good-bye! Three or four trains pass. Kumred Cooke throws in.his .peroration. The Salvarmy, Band blares more boldly. Dolores and the audience swear off the Town Hall for concerts. —I am, etc., / MUSICUS.