WINTER ENTERTAINMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 909, 29 April 1871, Page 2

WINTER ENTERTAINMENTS.

j An adjourned meeting of the Popular Amusements Association was held at the City Council Chamber yesterday afternoon for the purpose of further considering the resumption of the winter entertainments. His Worship the Mayor presided, and there were also present Messrs Wynn Williams, G. H. Wilson, J. A. Bird, J. Ollivier, G. Gordon (hon. sec.), and W. R. Mitchell. The minutes of the previous meeting were read. Mr Ollivier said, before they were confirmed, he would like to know whether, if that were done, he would be giving bis assent to fche decisions recorded in them. He was not present afc the last meeting, and several things had been done which he strongly objected to. The Chairman said the confirmation of the minutes was only a species of acknowledgment that they were a correct account of what was done at the meeting. They did nofc bind Mr Ollivier in any way, but were even open to reconsideration. The minutes were then confirmed. | A letter was read from the City Council intimating that immediately on the sum of £55 being paid over to them, the desired improvements to Latimer square would be commenced. A letter was also read from Mr Crosbie apologising for his inability to attend the meeting, and stating that he had been unable to obtain any vocalist promises, but that Capt. Hawkes and Mr R. D. Thomas would give readings at the entertainment fixed for the 6th next month. Mr Mitchell, on behalf of the programme committee, said he was sorry to report that they had not met with that cordial support amongst the musicians and vocalists of the city as they had expected. Objection had been made to the increase of prices on the ground that by such a proceeding the Association was departing from their original intentions, that, in fact, they were not seeking to amuse those who could not afford to patronise ordiuary entertainments. Others had found fault with the Music Hall on account of sound, whilst many had pointed out that the retiring room in rear of the hall was not in a fit state for ladies. The committee were thus sorry to say they were unable to report favourably in the matter of a programme. Mr Ollivier said he objected most strongly to the intentions of the committee as set forth in the minutes of the previous meeting. He remembered well what were the intentions when the winter entertainments were first commenced, but it appeared to him that they were rapidly going away from it. He could endorse all that Mr Mitchell had said as to the objections to the proposed increase of the price of admission fee, and he for one would not read to such an audience as those they now proposed to constitute. Tbe object in establishing the entertainments was to make those who, from want of funds were unable to buy books, acquainted with popular authors, and to improve the social tone of others. The earlier entertainments were conspicuous instances of success in these respects, but as soon as they began to increase the admission fee to sixpence, a very marked difference became perceptible in the audiences, and that particular class for which the entertainments were first instituted was not to be found there. But still, in face of this, it was proposed to increaae the price of admission to one shilling. He would doubtless be told that such increase was necessary because of tbe smallneas of the Music Hall, and for the purpose of maintaining order in the gallery but, if there was no escape except by increasing tbe admission fee, ifc would be better to I give up the entertainments altogether. He j considered, however, the order could not be i secured by a mere alteration of prices. On the contrary, the man who paid a shilling would be less amenable to order than the one who paid threepence; for if persons paid well they would generally do as they thought best, and had less regard for authority. If , then, such a plan were to be adopted, he should decline to act any longer on the Committee. Even apart from the question of maintaining order, he did not pretend to aim at amusing those who could afford to pay for witnessing professionals. He, with others, aimed at amusing those whose means did not permit of this, and if they went further they would trench upon professionals, to whom it would be a great injustice. He had intended to request the withdrawal of his name from the Committee, and not attend the meeting, but having been induced to be present, he would like to hear the opinion of others before submitting a motion. Mr Bird said there was a great deal of force in the arguments used by Mr Ollivier, but he must point out that the increased price was purely intended to keep the rowdy element out of the gallery. It must be remembered that at the more recent entertainments in the Town Hall there was considerable annoyance caused by disturbances amongst those in the gallery. He knew that Mr Ollivier was compelled to use rather forcible language at one time in order to procure quietness. Mr Ollivier : The request for order was always obeyed. Mr Bird said he certainly was not wedded to the charge of one shilling for the gallery, and was quite prepared to give way in the matter. Mr Wilson agreed with Mr Bird. The increased charge was not made in order to keep the gallery audience more select, but to prevent boys thumping with their sticks and shouting " encore " to the disturbance of the audience in the body of the hall. Mr Ollivier said there was one point they must not forget. Nearly every parish in and out of Christchurch had taken up theße entertainments, and the necessity for the association continuing them was therefore greatly diminished. If, therefore, they could not adhere to tbeir old price of threepence they had better discontinue thenft altogether. They had certainly done their dnty in the matter.

They had secured a notoriety for such entertainments, they had created a taste for them in all parts of the country until they bad become as thick as blackberries in the summer, and having done so, if they could not keep them up at the desired price either from want of sufficient room or other reasons, they might well give them up until some alteration took place, and they were enabled to start under more favourable circumstances. He agreed with a suggestion of the Chairman, that they should defer the matter for another month, and ccc if they could not procure the Drill Shed for the purpose. He thought Colonel Packe would very readily place it at their disposal, and they might easily arrange for seats. The Chairman said he could strongly bear out all that had been said by Mr Ollivier about the increase in the price of admission. Mr Williams said they could not carry out the entertainments at the old price of threepence, for the chairs could not be procured for less tban twopence each, and the cartage to and fro would increase it to threepence. He did not think there would be any objection to sixpence, provided that was the price all round, and he should certainly be sorry to see the entertainments die out altogether, because they could not be made to pay at threepence. He would suggest that the first entertainment be tried at sixpence. Mr Bird understood that it was not co much the price as the unsuitableness of tbe hall that was objected to. Mr Williams said that most probably the new Odd Fellows' Hall would be erected long before the season was over, and that would be an excellent place for the entertainments. From tbe plans, he observed that ifc will be very commodious, there will be excellent retiring-rooms, and a beautiful stage. The Chairman asked Mr Mitchell whether he thought the difficulties in the way of getting sufficient music and readings for the first entertainment were unsurmountable. Mr Mitchell said he was afraid so. Mr Ollivier thought that after the report made to the meeting by Mr Mitchell, it would at all events be impossible to get up the first entertainment for the night originally decided upon. It would, therefore, be better to postpone it at once, and then ascertain whether sufficient performers could, be senured. Mr Mitchell said the objections to the Music Hall were very numerous, and not likely to be overcome. He also adverted to the estimated cost of the chairs, and pointed out that at threepence admission, there would be nothing left with which to hire a piano or meet any other expense. He would suggest that they should wait until a building better adapted to the purpose than the Music Hall, could be secured. The Chairman said it was desirable that they should have at least one entertainment, if not on the 6th proximo, then on the following Saturday, or the matter might fall through altogether. He considered it would be best to go in for the Drill Shed, and fix the price of admission at threepence. Mr Gordon, adverting to the difficulty experienced in procuring performers, Baid they were very ready to give their services at first, but since the parishes had so generally taken the matter up, the entertainments became almost a tax on many persons. The Chairman pointed out that the average attendance last year was 520, bufc when fche admission was threepence they had always from 900 to 1000. This was a strong argument in favour of the Drill Shed. Mr Bird would advise the holding of one entertainment even if they lost money by it. They had funds in hand, which could be devoted to making up the deficiency. Mr Mitchell pointed out that unlike previous years, they had no voluntary offers of vocal or other contributions; every one had to be hnnted up. Mr Williams would like to see one entertainment carried out, for he was sure they would get on right enough if a commence<ment were but made. He would move, " That the entertainment fixed for the 6th of May be postponed until the 13th, and that the committee should meet on Friday next to make final arrangements for carrying it out at the Drill shed, provided the necessary permission could be obtained from Colonel Packe, and that the price of admission be threepence." He believed if this went forth to the public there would be no difficulty whatever in getting persons to come forward and give musical pieces or readings, when, if a failure in attendance occurred, the committee would at least have the satisfaction of knowing that they bad done their best in the matter. Mr Bird seconded the resolution, which was unanimously agreed to. The Secretary was requested to write to .Colonel Packe, respecting the use of the Drill-shed, previous to the next meeting of the -committee. Mr Bird was afraid that people would not go to the Drill.shed. Ihe locality was very •dark, and tbe building was cold. Mr Williams said if such a result occurred, then the whole matter would be knocked on the head. Mr Gordon said be had intended to move that a sum of money should be voted to aid in establishing the proposed gymnasium, but he would defer it until a future meeting of the Association. Mr Ollivier moved, " That with a view to a return of the original intention of the Association, to providing a cheap aud popular entertainment for tbe people, at not exceeding threepence admission, it is par ticularly requested that those ladies and gentlemen who may be willing to aid the Committee, either by readings, recitations, singing, or instrumental performance, will kindly communicate with the hon. secretary (Mr Geo. Gordon), on or before Friday, the Sth of May." The motion was seconded and carried. The improvement of Latimer square was deferred until next meeting of the Aesociation. < The meetiag then adjourned.