The Evening Star FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1875.

Evening Star, Issue 3962, 5 November 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1875.

Two propositions for spending a portion of the proposed loan of £IOO,OOO were adopted yesterday by the City Council. The first set aside the sum of .£25,000 for purchasing or building a Town Hall ; the second authorised the Corporation to negotiate for the purchase of the University buildings. On a careful perusal of the debate as reported, we are far from being satisfied with eiiher resolution. We do not purpose examining the arguments of eacli speaker in detail, for the discussion waxed warm and personal, and consequently lost in reason what it gained in favoi. This is too apt to be the case in all public matters, although it seems particularly out of place where the matter in dispute is one that can be lesolved by figures. As to borrowing £IOO,OOO we have no objection. That or a much larger sum can be profitably spent in very necessary improvement of the City. The drainage, if effectually 1 - done, with due regard to sanitary arrangements, will cost that amount, and ought not to be deferred, but at once be proceeded with, under the advice of competent sanitary authorities. As for the building of a * own Hall, we look upon it there is no absolute necessity for it. The Corporation has property available for that purpose, or if not, wo can sec the advisability of securing a suitable site rather than defer the purchase until property has risen to almost prohibitory value—an event that is not unlikely to take place before many years pass away. But until necessary works are attended to, and the City revenue justifies it, wo see no advantage in investing money in a building at a time when labor is perhaps at its highest and building materials worth probably fifty per cent, more than they will be in a couple or three years hence. It seems moie than probable, therefore, that should negotiations for the University building fail, there is every reason for deferring erecting a Town Hall until it can be done with justice to the interest of the ratepayers. The reasons given for proceeding to build were that the present otlices arc unsuitable; that in consequence of two departments being added —Gas and Water—further oiiice accommodation is needed ; and that a large hall is required for holding public meetings in, which, as a mutter of speculation, might be let once a week for public entertainments We dare say that every one of these allegations, excepting that of letting the Hall for £l2 anight, is true. As for the value of the speculation we have grave doubts, as well as of the propriety of taking such a contingency into consideration by a Municipal Council. It is no part of their province to invest money on speculation ; either the hall is a public necessity and ought to be built, or it is not; that is the view a Corporation should take of it. If it is to be built for profit, it should be left to individual enterprise, as the cost is within the limits of the means of at least a company. With regard to ollicc accommodation, that is easily got over. There are plenty of suites of rooms obtainable at reasonable rents in which (he work of each department can be conducted. Hitherto there have been gas and water companies’ offices, and most probably the necessary rooms may be had at

ower rents than the cost of interest on new structures. At any rate the difference is not so great as to justify '•ushing into bricks and mortar at high prices. With regard to the University building the argument used was, “ that it should be bought because the ; ute is valuable.” This seems to us a good reason in addition to others why the buying of it should not be taken into considei’ation. If it were proposed that it should be purchased as a speculation the prospective value of the site would bo a recommendation ; but that public buildings should occupy a place that is worth more for other purposes is a mistake not often fallen into in the cities at Home. It really matters little where the Town Hall is so long as it is sufficiently central. The quieter its precincts the better. It can always 1 e made an ornament to a city, and to occupy ground that can be better appropriated to business purposes, tends to cripple means of conducting commerce and the revenue that would be derived from the rates on valuable property. A site may be too valuable for the purpose to which it is applied, and to that extent there may be a public loss. In addition to this drawback, the cost of conversion must not be lost sight of. The University buildings were constructed for Post-office purposes, and would have been best applied to them. In order to adapt them to other uses, heavy sums of money have been already spent, but at best they have been indifferent makeshifts. The Corporation may spend some thousands more, and, when done, a sort of patchwork affair will be produced that will satisfy nobody ; while, for some thousands of pounds less, very superior buildings, specially arranged for the required purposes, may be erected. On every ground, therefore, of expediency and economy, we should recommend the Council to pause before committing the City hastily to the expenditure of so large a sum of money at present, and to consider well before agreeing to buy the University building. As a matter of duty, too, we warn the University Council as to selling them, lest they throw them away.