CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 4123, 15 May 1876, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the City Council was held this afternoon, to consider the questions of a new Town Hall and street tramways. There were present—The Mayor

(in the chair), Crs. Grant, Gibson, Reeves, Woodland, Quick, Leary, Brown, Chapman, Eoberts, Campbell, Mollison, and Isaacs, THE TOWN HALL. His Worship said that the two questions before the Council were most important as regarded municipal affairs. Inasmuch as he had advocated a particular site for a Town Hall when a member of the Council, he was not now prepared, unless to give a casting vote, to exercise any power or influence in connection with any site which might be adopted. The Public Works Committee’s report on the subject, as published, having been read, Cr. Reeves wished to know whether the Works Committee had taken the question into their serious consideration. He advocated a free library in the Town Hall, provided it was determined to build one. There was no question now that after the next session of the Assembly the Provinces would be abolished. In the Provincial Council Library would be found the nucleus of a good library, and that might be handed over to the Corporation. As this question might have been overlooked by the Works Committee, he moved “ That a special committee be called from the • ouncil to consider the question of a town had, such committee to be called the Town Hall Committee.” Cr, Quick seconded the motion. Cr. Isaac moved, as an amendment, “ That the Works Comimttee’s report as read be adopted.” He did so believing that the committee had endeavored to bring up as complete and practicable a report as possible. The mover of the resolution had grossly insulted the Works Committee. Cr, Reeves : No.

Cr, Isaac : I say yes. Notwithstanding what has been said by the Works Committee, I affirm that its members, taking them all in all, are possessed of as much intelligence as any four members of the Council. I oppose a free library in a Town Hall.

Cr. Grant seconded the amendment. The suggestion of a free library had been thrown out by Cr. Reeves to catch a vote. Cr. Reeves said that rather than insult the Works Committee he would withdraw his motion, with his seconder’s consent. objected to the resolution being withdrawn, and took exception to members being thin-skinned. Cr. Reeves denied that he had bid for popularity. The question of a free public library entered his mind when he first took his seat in the Council. When he bid for votes in that manner he deserved to be kicked out of a public office. The amendment was carried, and it becoming the substative motion, Cr, Leary objected to L 450 being spent on competitive designs. He moved that the premiums do not amount in the aggregate to more than L2OO.

The atnounts for competitive designs were fixed at L2OO, LIOO, and LSO. S Cr. Isaac moved and Cr, Mollison seconded “ That Dowling street be the site for the new Town Hall.”

Cr. Gibson moved “That the site be in the Octagon.” four* 6 amen^ was carried by eight to

[Left sitting.]