TOWN HALL PROPOSAL.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18217, 30 October 1924, Page 12

TOWN HALL PROPOSAL.

RANGIORA OPINION DIVIDED.

A well-attended meeting was held in the .Institute Hall, Pangiora, last night, the Mayor (Mr W. A. Rows©) presiding, when Cr. "W. R. Pike placed before.the ratepayers bis proposals for taking a poll to "borrow £BOOO for building a town hall.

Cr. Pike said the plans submitted to the Council wero for a hall costing approximately £BOOO. This would be a hall to seat 700, with a suitable dancing floor and supper rooms. Owing to much opposition in the town to the dancing floor, bo had reduced bis scheme to a hall to cost about £6500. 3?lra ntodified scheme had the support of the Council. Tho present hall was over 50 years old, and consequently out of date so far as the requirements of the Borough were concerned. Although a poll was (being taken on Wednesday next for the- purpose of borrowing the £BOOO, it was not necessary to use that amount. He estimated the revenue from the new hall would be about £SOO per annum, which would be ample to cover interest and cost of maintenance. The proposition would be a payable one. In the discussion that followed, the question of a water supply cropped up, some of the ratepayers being of the opinion that a proposal for a water supply should be submitted first, as it was a necessity, and a town hall a luxury. Tho opinion was expressed that the taking of a poll for a loan, of £BOOO was not advisable at present. Most of the councillors who were present supported the modified scheme.

Dr. I. M. Allen moved and Dr. T. A. "Will seconded, "that this meeting of ratepayers considers a new town hall necessary, but in view of more, important schemes to come before them iu the near future, considers it inadvisable to proceed with the scheme at present." The motion was lost.

The Rev. J. F. Feron moved, "that the Council he respectfully asked to bring more definite data before tho ratepayers prior to taking the poll.' 5

The motion was seconded by Mr E D. Eowe and carried.

A special meeting of tho Council will probably be held to-morrow night to discuss the proposal further.