A HALL FOR HAMILTON.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1594, 29 June 1900, Page 2

A HALL FOR HAMILTON.

TO THE EDITOK rim—ln the matter of accommodation fur holding meetings or entertain merits Hamil t nlags behindeveryothertownship in the Waikato. Our present hall is altogether too small and besides lacks ever) convenience as a ball'room or place of entertainment. To give a ball or show in this hall involves an enormous amount of labour and the expenditure of a heavy sum of money in providing temporary additions. The amount of time and money so thrown away during the last dozen \eara would have gone far towards providing proper accommodation. Suco a slate of things ought not to be allowed lo continue in a rising township like Hamilton with its daily increasing population. There are reasons why a suitable building cannot be erected by private enterprise, and I venture to urge upon the Borough Council to undertake the work ana rescue us from the inconvenience and humiliation of having no proper hall. This I am convinced can be done without imposing any serious burden upon the ratepayers. I would suggest a hall with clear floor space of say 2200 feet, with a stage at one end and ante rooms with a gallery over at the other. On either aide of the hall should be a lean-to running the length of the building, The one con taining the Town Clerk’s offices, Council Chamber, fire engine-shed, etc., the other dressing-rooms for the stage, and a large room to be used for suppers, or as an annex to the hall for shows. The Council has a suitable site lying idle near St. Peter’s Church, aud the site of the present Council Chamber might be let at high rentals, I presume that a suitable building could be erected for say £ISOO The interest and sinking fund on such a sum would be practically covered by the receipts of the hall and the rent of the land set free, and no burden would be oast ou the ratepayers. Finally, I should like (without presuming to dictate) to offer suggestions on two matters of detail. First, the hall should be painted and decorated in good, aitistic style, and no one allowed to drive nails or ‘ decorate ’ under any pretext. Secondly, I would suggest that in addition to employing an architect that the Council should get someone having practical knowledge of the requirements of shows and entertainments in the district to assist in planning the arrangements so that we may have a thoroughly convenient aud up-to-date hall. I have given my own notions above, but there are. of course, others more competent to ... .1... »1 ....II

f,eo hia way to push the matter forward _j am, etc., A. Swarjjrick.