"During the period from 1919 to 1921,°the A.D.C. and the Lyceum Theatre trustees spent about $30,000 in improving the theatre. The old gas heaters and open fires were done away with, and a complete steam heating installation was put in. Sanitary improvements were also made. All this work was carried out under the supervision of the Municipal Fire Department. Mr. Pett, the Chief Officer, expressed the opinion that he did' not think the theatre was worth repairing, bit no. official intimation of this was given. A great deal of extra expense was incurred in carrying out the work in accordance with the Council's requirements. In November, 1921, the first intimation that the Council, or the Chief Officer, were not satisfied with the theatre was received.
"7991-19299: The correspondence published in the 'Municipal Gazette" to-day gives the full history of the Council's recent action. Careful perusal of their letters will show that no statement was ever made that the theatre would' be closed at a moment's notice. The licensing and use of the thea-, tre was continued up to the 1th instant. On the 6th, a paragraph appeared in the ''North-Ohina Daily News" stating that the theatre would be closed for structural alterations. As no such intimation had come to, myself or any other member of the A.D.C. committee, or the trustees, T wrote a denial of the rumour, which denial was published in the next issue of your paper, a footnote being added by the Editor stating that he was unable to disclose the source of -his information. No correction of my public denial was made. On the 19th instant, a letter was received from the Secretary of the Municipal Council stating that the theatre must be closed down forthwith.
"This covers the history of the matter up to date. It is rather a lengthy statement, but it scorns to me to be necessary in the interests of all parties.".
"A week or more ago (Mr. Wilkinson continued) the British Women's Association advertised a performance of 'The Purse Strings,' to be given at the Lyceum Theatre on the 2th and 27th instant, and the theatre was prepar-for these productions by the A.D.C. committee, who had no knowledge of any intention. to close the building without notice. To-day, aggrieved members of the B.W.A. approached members of the Watch Committee and were informed that the A.D.C. had no right to let the theatre as thei. knew it was to be closed. As 1 have already said, "the only intimation of this was the paragraph which appeared in the 'North-China Daily News,' the origin of which report was not disclosed, and no_ notice of any sort reached the A.D.C. until yesterday. So much for the first grievance against the Watch Committee.
"Apart from this, the main questions at issue are:
Is the Council right in closing down the theatre on.' the score of danger by fire?
"(2) If so, should the Council have permitted the A.D.C. and the trustees to spend large sums of money on improving the theatre under offeial supervision during the past two years?
"(3) Is it fair or equitable t shut down the theatre at a moment's notice without regard to the engagements of the A.D.C. and others who have spent money on performances already advertise
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.