MUNICIPAL THEATRE.

Waipawa Mail, Volume LI, Issue 24, 11 November 1929, Page 2

MUNICIPAL THEATRE.

NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE OVERHAUL. ENDORSED BY COUNCIL. In accordance with notice given at the October meeting of the Borough Council, Cr. Thackeray, at Friday's meeting, moved:— That the Council recognises the need for renovating the interior of the Municipal Theatre, and requests the Theatre Committee to submit a scheme, with an estimate of cost, at the next meeting of the Council. Speaking to the motion Cr. Thackeray said he did not think any councillor would consider the motion premature. The theatre had been in use for 19 years, and during that time practically nothing had been done to the interior. He considered that an up-to-date theatre was a big factor in the prosperity and progress of a town. No one could look at the ceiling without feeling the need for improvement. The theatre was a paying proposition, as indicated bv the fact that in three years the profit had amounted to £875. He did not propose to submit a scheme of improvement, hut leave it to the Theatre Committee, but lie did hope, in the interests of the town, that something would he done. Seconding the motion Cr. Wedde endorsed the views of Cr. Thackeray. If the profits made from the theatre had been devoted to improvements it would be a much more attractive place. The motion did not commit the Council to anything, but Cr. Weded hoped the Committee would bring down a comprehensive scheme. The Mayor said he was sympathetic towards the motion. The town had a theatre which was being used practically every day in the week, and it should be kept up-to-date. As to finance, however, it was only in the last three years that the theatre had shown anything like a profit. The motion was carried without dissent.