THE PROVINCIAL HALL.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11287, 22 March 1905, Page 2

THE PROVINCIAL HALL.

NOT TO BE* LET FOR ENTERTAINMENTS IN FUTURE. We learn that instructions have been received from headquarters, with an intimation that same are to be strictly observed, that the Provincial Hall is not in future to be let for any entertainment whatever. This decision is the result of more than one representation. In the first place the local Lodge of the Ancient Order of Druids, which has just erected a hall in Collingwood street, made representation that there were public halls suitable for the class of entertainment usually held in the Provincial Hall, and that it was unfair that the Government hall should enter into competition therewith. Those who are connected with the charge of the Government Buildings and some of the officers who are employed thereat have also made complaint of the great inconvenience and damage caused by the letting of the hall foi balls, socials, etc,, when, sometimes for two or three days rooms adjoining the hall would be requisitioned, and very often left in a very dirty condition. Again, the clearing of the hall for dancing often meant that the furniture had to be left outside exposed to the weather, and apart from that, it became damaged in the constant moving out and in. There is no gainsaying the fact that both before and after the large social gatherings that it has been the practice to hold in the Provincial Hall there is a large amount of bustle in and about the hall, but we can hardly think to the extent that it interfered with the public service in any way. A real cause of complaint undoubtedly is the dirty state in which some of the rooms were occasionally left after the gathering, especially in the case of the supperroom. But whatever may be the reason that has caused the authorities to take action, a certain section of the public will feel aggrieved at the withdrawal of the hall as a place for holding balls, etc. It does not seem to us that there is any place available in the town that is as suitable as the Provincial Hall for a certain class of entertainments, and the stoppage of an old established custom will be resented as in a measure an infringement of the public privileges. We understand that it does not follow that the holding of public

riieetiriits will be prohibited, but on '. that point direction would require i to be obtained from the authorities < when the occasion arose. The Theatre Royal Committee at one time protested against the Provincial Hall entering into competition with the Theatre, and thereafter it was agfeea ?) arid bedajiie the practice, that .wh'eri ari entertainment—with ...certain exceptions— was held ii the Provincial Hall a guinea 'frpn\ the hire received .should be handed to the . Theatre .Committee. The question involved, as. we understand it, . s, riotorie of being deprived at getting a cheap hall, but 61 bfemg deprived of the 6pportunity of getting the most suitable hall for some purposes. _ i It has been decided, . too, that in future vehicular traffic through the Government Buildings grounds shall be prohibited. This cannot very well inconvenience anyone, . arid we may say that itis riot a fa6t that the t rounds aite closed to pedestrians _$_ dark. The Bridge street large gates are locked at dusk, , but pedestrians can use the . siriall gate", and have just the same access as has been given iri the .psjs.t. Any attempt to close the grounds to pedestrians Would lead, without doubt, to an emphatic public protest.