CORPORATION OFFICES.

Evening Star, Issue 4134, 27 May 1876, Page 2

CORPORATION OFFICES.

To the Editor,

Sih,—While I believe that the want of a good public hall is often felt, I am not at present about to argue whether it is or not an absolute necessity. But I have no doubt whatever about the need there is to provide Corporation offices giving adequate accommodation, and embracing provision for a Fire Brigade station, storage of material, &c, I fail to see how anyone who has been in the City Council Chambers, and has any idea of the amount and varied nature of the business which has now to bo conducted therein, can doubt the necessity for increased accommodation, especially when it is recollected that a considerable sum is now being paid for storage, &o, I am told at the rate of live or six hundred per annum. I will leave “ Ratepayer ” and those who may differ with him to fight out the question of ways and means, but I must say that it seems to me ridiculous to suggest that the City of Dunedin with a grand site like that in the Octagon at its disposal— cannot afford to erect suitable premises in which its business may be carried on. Taking into account the amount of accommodation required, and that a building for City purposes should be, as far as possible, fire resisting and for that reason, and others, should be detached from other buildings—and counting what the probable cost would be of renting suitable premises, if such could be obtained, I cannot understand how that course can be advocated with any show of reason. I quite agree with “ Ratepayer ” respecting the follies committed, and yet, apparently, to be committed re Princes street widening. But the fact that our substance has been wasted in fancy improvements, at fancy prices, does not get rid of the other fact that we want accommodation for the conduct of the City business. While I recognise the need for such accommodation, 1 am not at all in favor of an extravagant expenditure thereon, beyond what either our numbers, onr needs, or our means may warrant. I think the Normal School cost some nine or ten thousand pounds. A building of that extent should give ample room for all our requirements, l.et our Councillors see to it, that thousands are not wasted on mere ornamentation in

support of “ the credit of the City ” idea, and for the rest there is little doubt of a majority of the ratepayers approving their action.—l am, &0., A.S. Dunedin, May 27. ,