TOWN HALL DISPUTE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 190, 14 August 1941, Page 4

TOWN HALL DISPUTE

' SPECIAL MEETING IN PATEA INO FURTHER ACTION TAKEN !(0.C.) Patea, Aug. 13. After a lively exchange 01 opinions at a special meeting to-day of the Patea Borough Council, no further action was taken in the dispute between the council and Patea Pictures, Limited, over the rental asked for the lease of the Town Hail. Present at the meeting was Mr. H. O'Halloran, lof the Bureau of Industries, Wellingjlon. An apology was received from Mr. R. Girlmg-Butchcr, film controller, Wellington, who was to have visited Patea for the meeting. I A letter from Patea Pictures, Limij ted advising that the council’s offer to lease the Town Hall at a rental of | £6OO, plus rates, was unreasonable .and could not be entertained, was re- ! ceived by the council at its meeting on Monday night. The council, at the same meeting, agreed to meet Messrs. O’Halloran and Girling-Butelier, The | Mayor, Mr. F. Ramsbottom, presided ■at to-day’s meeting, held at 5 p.m. i Mr. O’Halioran explained the licence system between landlord and tenant, land said only one picture theatre was j permitted in Patea. Patea Pictures, Limited, held this licence and had the right to start again. The company also had a permit to build its own theatre, but this programme had been postponed for the duration of the war.

Cr. S. R. Fuller-Sam!y-- said the Town Hall belonged Io lire ..liepayers and the people of Patea. who were entitled to receive full value from it. Provided Patea Pictures, Limited, paid the rent and acted reasonably they could hold the hall permanently, said Mr. O’Halloran. The Borough Council, ol course could arrange the question of rent.

Mr. O’Halloran added that ho had spent some time that afternoon looking through the books of Patea Pictures, Limited, and had found them in order. A tenant who may be able to pay more rent at the present time, but could not live up to it, would be a loss on th<; council in the leng run. A brief outline of rentals payable in one-theatre towns, based on a population basis, was also given by Mr. O’Halioran. For example, the rental in a town of 1600 people was £496 a year. This did not convey the value of the property, as picture revenue was based on population. Mr. O’Halioran added that if the council put the hall Up for tender, nooody other than Patea Pictures. Limited, could accept that tender because they were the only holders of a licence for the town. At present Patea could not support two theatres.