THE TOWN HALL SITE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 29 March 1901, Page 3

THE TOWN HALL SITE.

At the Borough Council meeting last night the Town Hall Committee broight up its report, showing that Mr. Flanngan demanded a freehold of 20 feet of Boundary street in addition to £IOO for permission to erect town hall in Bounday street. The committee could not 'ecommend its acceptance. Mr. Petrie moved that report be 2ferred back for further consideration

The Council had that evening sent a third site to the Committee to be coj. sidered. Mr. M'Lean said some Councillor, seemed to want to shelve the vote of the ratepayers till after the elections. He was in favor of Boundary street, butj wanted the vote taken. They were pay-, ing an exorbitant rent for the present 1 premises. He generally accused the Council and Town Clerk of being in league against his desire to have the hall in Boundary street. He moved that the poll be taken the Wednesday before the elections.

Mr. Petrie said that at the committee meeting he desired the vote taken at once, but he was informed that it was impossible to do so until further information was forthcoming.

The Mayor said the Committee could not go further till definite information was before them. If a poll was taken now he would put a price upon Mr. Flannigan's property under the Public Works Act and submit it to the ratepayers upon such basis. This would be about £1,200. Mr. Steer said the Committee could come to no other decision than they did. He had, however, since learned from Young Heo that Mr. Flannigan only wanted a freehold of 20 feet to keep it clear. Mr Sheedy affirmed that the erection of a Town Hall in Boundary Street would benefit Mr Flannigan, and he objected to giving any part of Boundary Street to him in addition to the £IOO. The Council would do wrong in agreeing to give Mr Flannigan a foot of Boundary Street. He ridiculed the idea of taking a poll before they knew what Mr Flannigan really wanted, or want the Council was prepared to give him. Mr Flannigan did not appear willing to take the Council's guarantee. Mr Gieseking held with Mr Sheedy that the Council should give a guarantee to Mr Flannigan, and not transfer the ground to him and take his guarantee. Mr Steer understood that Mr Young Hee was present to explain what Mr Flannigan wanted and he moved that he be heard. This being agreed to Mr Young Hee said that what Mr Flannigan desired was the freehold of 20 feet in Boundary Street, which he would guarantee not to build on (

The Mayor said he would never agree to keep a narrow right-of-way open in such a dirty locality. It would be almost impossible to keep it clean. Mr M'Lean urged his motion. They could take the Avhole of Flannigan's property if they thought ill, and as it was bringing in a good rent, woxild be a source of revenue. He accused the Committee of unnecessary delay.

Mr Bignell said Mr. M'Lean had cast a lot of aspersions on Councillors. He was oile of the Committee and every effort was made to hasten proceedings on. It was only a month since negotiations were opened. He had no interested motive and Mr M'Lean should be more careful. Mr M'Lean did not care to trust the next Council and wanted the vote before the elections. He would withdraw what he had said abcut the Committee. Mr Bignell: All right; I don't think you know what you did say. My Joyce said the Council was doing nothing but raising quibbles. Mr Petrie was as willing for the poll as any Councillor. But lie wanted a direct issue. What the one site would cost and what the other. He moved as an amendment that the vote be taken in one week's time from the date of getting a definite reply from Mr Flannigan. Seconded by Mr Bignell.

Mr Ashton said the amendment was the better way to proceed. As to the right-of-way the Council could surely see that it was kept clean. Mr M'Lean adhered to his resolution. After a further, and at times amusing irregular discussion, Mr Petrie's amendment was carried.