THE BAND ROTUNDA.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 518, 3 September 1902, Page 3

THE BAND ROTUNDA.

DESIGN PREFERRED BY THE COUNCIL. “ Ah, now wo have it,” exclaimed the Mayor last night, as tho designs for the band rotunda wore laid on the table. “ Yes, here we have a question of taste,” said Cr Kennedy, who, however, thought that the plans should have come under cover without any names being attached. The Town Clerk explained that one had been put in two hours after time. Cr Kennedy said what he wanted was tho best plan. Cr Jones : Bettor loavc it until the site is decided. Cr Kennedy : I don’t think so at all. Tho Mayor : This will do on any site. Cr Jones : What about the extra cost ? Cr Kennedy : Too much “ taihoa.” Cr Harding : Let us decide the best one. Cr Lysnar, looking at tho plans, said they need not think twice over it. Cr Miller : You arc going by appearance. We also want to know about cost.

Cr Jones said that the site would make a difference as to cost. Cr Kennedy : What does it matter '? Cr Jones : Everything. If you require a foundation 15 foot deep- it will mako a b : g difference. The Mayor said that tho plan before them (Mr Purnell’s) would not require any foundation. Here came in some “chaff” about tho sites. Cr Lysnar cited tho case of tho lady who had gone to the Recreation Ground and nearly got bogged, which resulted in her becoming a strong supporter of tho Point. Cr Jones retorted with a story of a Councillor who was said to have got bogged at tho Point, and Cr Hepburn went ono better still by relating tho case of a Councillor who nearly got drowned at tho Point. Cr Bright suggested that that must havo been on tho beach, but Cr

Hepburn stuck to his point. Tho question then aroso as to whether letters accompanying the plans should bo opened, Cr Bright clinching tho discussion by saying that it inado no difference, as they all know to whom tho plans belonged. “ Well, aro we to take a referendum on this ? ” asked tho Mayor, amidst laughter. “Yes, we’ll take it now,” replied Cr Whinray, while Cr Harding jokingly remarked that they ought to have it on tho ballot paper. After an inspection of the plans the Mayor said it was now for the Council to decide what they would do. Cr Harding said they were all very good, but he preferred one (Messrs Parnell and Co’s). Tho Mayor : That is the one that came in at 2 o’clock. They had better decide first whether it was debarred from competing. He did not know whether they would make a hard and fast rule as in the case of a tender.

The advertisement was read giving noon as the time up to which competing designs should be sent in, the Council not necessarily accepting any design. Cr Bright suggested that Messrs Parnell and Co. be requested to supply specifications in support of their plan. Cr Miller suggested that as the design preferred had been sent in late, others should be given an opportunity to competo. The Mayor : Do you want more plans ? Cr Miller : No.

Cr Whinray considered it was quite competent to accept one of the plans. Cr Bright took a like view, as also did Cr Lysnar, who said it was not as with tenders where prices should not be divulged. Cr Kennedy agreed with the latter view. Cr Lysnar considered that Messrs Parnell and Co’s design should be accepted, subject to the question of cost to carry it out.

Cr Jones still held to the opinion that they should first know the site and the probable cost. The Mayor said the site question would not be decided until the nth

Cr Jones : Well, it can’t be put up before you have the site. Cr Whinray considered there was no occasion for delay.

Cr Lysnar seconded Cr Bright’s motion. He pointed out, however, that the design was four feet smaller than one of the other designs. Cr Kennedy said that it would be quite big enough ; it was twenty feet, nearly as large as the Council room, in the form of an octagon. Cr Whinray said they should decide the matter without keeping the competitors in suspense. Cr Jones said the question of material to bo used was too important to pass over ; Cr Kennedy said that it might bo of wood or iron for all they knew at present; and Cr Miller jocularly remarked that it might bo of paper macho. Cr Jones : It has been on paper a long timo. —(Laughter.) Or Harding: It will be on tho Point directly.' Cr Miller: There are a good many things ou paper in that ballot-box.— (Laughter.) The Town Clerk, in reply to Cr Miller, said that there was heavy polling. After further discussion, the motion to ask for details as to cost of carrying out Messrs Parnell and Co.’s design was agreed to, it being understood that if that was satisfactory they would be entitled to the jBS offered. Tho amount set down was £IBO to £2OO. The Town Clerk thought thoro should be scrutineers, and he suggested one representing the Point and tho other representing West End. The Mayor suggested Crs Whinray and Lysnar,and tho nominations wero approvod of, after jocular warnings that thero might bo all sorts of scrimmages before the poll was declared. Cr Jonos suggested that they might be given liberty to appoint a substitute in case ono was unable to attend. " Oh, no,” said Cr Harding, “ let them accept it and carry it through.” Cr Whinray agreed with that viow, but Cr Lysnar pointed out that ho might bo on tho jury that day, as'the Supreme Court would bo sitting. He added that they would do the counting in the even-

ing. A Councillor raised tho question as to whether votes would bo taken after the hour set down. The Mayor : If they are not in the bos they will be informal. Cr Jones : Isn’t it all informal ? (Laughter). The Mayor: Well, they won’t be accepted after tho time.