THE TOWN HALL QUESTION.

Evening Star, Issue 3419, 5 February 1874, Page 2

THE TOWN HALL QUESTION.

The following report by the City Surveyor on the adaptability of the University building for a Town Hall, was read at last mght s meeting of the City Council

City Council Chamber, . February 3,1874. in accordance with instructions from the Town Hall Committee, I have made tracings of the plans of the University building. Princes street, and have carefully studied and reaminged them, with a view to the adaptation of the building for the purposes of a Town Hall, and the requirements of the various Municipal offices. The present hall is 60ft by 38ft, and could be so enlarged as to provide a nail Soft by 60ft, affording, with galleries all round, accommodation for about 1,400 people. To obtain this increased size the present roof of the hall must be taken down, and an entirely new roof of greater span and height substituted. The ground floor would K also furnish iown Clerk s offices, Surveyor’s offices, and apartments for his Worship the Mayor, while 'minci 1 Chamber (48ft by 20ft), library (3brt by Ibrt), and a committee room would be located on the upper floor. In addition to these, two retiring rooms would absorb the whole of the upper floor. When the alteraHons had been made, the Council would certaiulyhave a building in which the municipal business could be carried on, but wanting in my opinion, in the chief requisites, conveniences, and architectural requirements only to be obtained in a structure expressly designed for our u | e " a radical change in the elevation of the hall would very much affect the exterior appearance of the building, both as regards the sky line of the roof and the facade fronting Bond street; and, though almost anything may be done in Gothic, classic architecture is subject to severer rules.' The hall as enlarged would be thrown out of the centre of the building, and would (so far as ita ffected it) alter the whole character of the present , architectural treatment, based as it is upon the hall being enclosed by apartments all round, the dividing walls of which are determined by the positions of the windows, &c., in the various alterations. Further, the passages are mean and dark, the main staircase too cramped for proper entrance and exit to and from the galleries, &c. The access to departments, instead of from conveniently-designed lobbies, would have to be through suites of rooms, with the alternative of going into the open air. Many of the rooms have no fireplaces, and these would require to be placed where practicable, without unity of design as regards the doors and windows of the rooms internally, and the architectural features of the building externally. Being met at the outset with such grave objections to the conversion of the building, it seems scarcely necessary to enlarge upon its present condition, but I must point out that the fittings and furnishings of the rooms, &c., are not at all suitable for a building designed to hold the first rank in the City. The doors, windows mouldings, mantel-piece, etc., for the sake of economy, have all b.-en put in at no greater outlay than would be admissible in an ordinary dwelling-house. Many of the walls are without plaster. The painting is of the cheapest kind —all decorations are wanting. For the use of the Corporation there exist practically the bare walls, floors, and roof. The elevation next the Custom House would require also to be faced with stone, aud treated architecturally, to correspond in some measure with the other fronts, involving an expenditure of L 2,000. Although this front is much obscured by the Custom House, the building would always look incomplete were it left as it is. To effect the alterations I have suggested would entail a large expenditure, and, in addition, the whole of the decorations, internal fittings, and finishings have to be provided for. The lowest sum that could be named as necessary for this internal "fork would be LB.OOO. This sum, added to the purchase money, would give a building possessing the one advantage of a good site, but otherwise, in my judgment, wholly unsuitable for our requirements. On the other hand, twothirds of the expenditure on a building expressly designed for its purpose would, in the hands of a good architect, erect a Town Hall which both internally and externally would exhibit careful adaptation and unity of design. I have no hesitation in recommending the Council to abandon the idea of the proposed purchase.

Cr. Walter believed the report to be a very honest one, but it might be better to get a report from the original architect of the building to supplement it. He moved that the report should be referred to the Committee which had been previously appointed on the'subject.

Cr. Bams ay seconded the motion, al though he did not see that it would do much go(.d.

Cr. Prosser moved, as an amendment, that the Surveyor’s report be adopted, which was carried.

Cr. Reeves moved—" That the City Surveyor be instructed to prepare plans of the ground upon which it is proposed to erect the Town Hall, commencing from the fence of St. Paul’s Church and extending to the George street corner, and prepare all information required by architects, and that compeative designs be called for in Dunedin, Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Melbourne, and Sydney, and that information be supplied to the Town Clerks of those cities for the information of the architects.” He did not intend to have the matter postponed again. They wanted a Town Hall, with a room capable of seating 2,000 people, and capable of being enlarged. They had better abandon the University idea and look round for a site that would be convenient and an ornament to the City. The site indicated in bis motion was, in his opinion, the best. It would also be well to have a public library in connection with the Town Hall, and the Museum might find quarters there. Looked at in a purely financial point of view, the new 1 own Hall he proposed would be a success. He knew it had been decided that the site for the Town Hall should be Dowling street; but if this brought as much money as the church ground did.the other day, it would be culpable to use it for a Town Hall when the Octagon site was vacant.

Or. Ramsay opposed the motion, which he considered absurd, since the Council had not determined what amount should be spent, or what kind of building they were to have.

Crs. Prosser and Burt supported the motion, but thought it would be better for the moyer to withdraw the second part. Cr. Walter was of opinion that the matter had been forced op with indecent haste, and at an improper time, Npt ope member of the Council knew that the motion was coming on that night. If the motion was earned, and steps taken to expend the ratepayers’ money, he would take steps to have a plebiscite of the ratepayers. He moved that the Council adjourn for a fortnight, wlpch was negatived. . this point the proceedings were very irregular. Shortly before eleven, Cr. Walter got on his feet with the ayowed object of talking against time. Though subjected to innumerable interruptions by reason of points of order being raised and his statements questioned, he kept possession of the chair until midnight, when half-an-hour’s adjournment for refreshment was granted. On resuming, Cr. Walter again heid forth, this time fortified with the autobiography of Mill of J. S. Mill, which he threatened to read. When he required a rest Cr. Ramsay would rise and move an adjournment, which of course, would be negatived, but the discussion on and settlement of points of order gave breathing time to Cr. Walter, who at once went on to speak with renewed vigor. Ihus it went on until Cr. Prosser succeeded in persuading the Mayor that the standing orders stipulated that not more than two amendments could be moved by one person. Ibis ruling practically stmt up Cr, Ramsay, but his ally Cr. Barnes stepped into the breach and expressed bis determination to speak for a good two hours. Thereupon another adjournment was asked for.—Cr. Ramsay thought ten and a-half hours’ re'st

would lead councillors to approach the matter in a calmer and more conciliatory spirit,—The Mayor tendered his advice, which was rejected by the majority, who carried an adjournment for an hour for more refreshments. At three o’clock business was resumed, and Cr. Barnes commenced to speak. He made an onslaught on Cr Reeves for “tampering” with the motion before the Council, by inserting without the Council’s permission, words in it during the adjournment.—Cr. Ramsay followed in a similar strain, and moved that that Councillor should bo censured, but found no seconder, Cr. Reeves having explained that he bad merely written in pencil a couple of words the insertion of which he intended to move on the first opportunity. He then moved the insertion of the words “or about” after “the frontage to commence.” This having been agreed to, Cr. Prosser moved that the words “ and also to prepare all information that may be required by architects in drawing their plans for competitive designs ” be struck out, which was done, and the resolution in its amended form was adopted by 5 to 3. Finally, Cr. Prosser moved, “ That the Octagon be the only site for the Town Hall,” for which there voted Councillors Prosser, Burt, Woodland, Beck, and Reeves; and against it Councillors Walter, Ramsay, and Barnes. At 4.30 this morning the Council adjourned for a fortnight. Two citizens, Mr Falconer, the acting Town Clerk, and four or five reporters were the sole listeners to the edifying (?) proceedings. Shortly after the Council re-assembled the second time, some individual of an exploring torn of mind found his way to the meter and turned off the gas. When light was restored, one Councillor ventured to hint that one of the reporters bad played the trick, but to the astonishment of the whole civil body, the sole representative of the Fourth Estate who remained at his post denied the impeachment in terms more forcible than polite. This slight occurrence was the only relief to six hours’ meaningless talk.