THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1880.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1836, 10 January 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1880.

Judging from the expression of opinion both in and out of the City Council Chamber, it appears not at all improbable that the work of erecting new municipal buildings is likely to be postponed, at least for the present. The financial condition of the city and the fact of a more important and costly work claiming the attention of the citizens seoms to waiTant us in arriving at this conclusion. If, as has heou put pretty plainly by his Worship the Mayor, we have to choose between the water supply and the erection of a Town Hall, there can be no doubt of the verdict of the ratepayers; the one is a work of pressing and urgent necessity, and the other, to a certain extent at least, a luxury. While saying this wo do not for one moment moan it to bo understood that a charge from the present wretched accommodation afforded the city officers is not necessary. No one will deny that, as at present arrm g)d, the accommodation, both of the representatives of the ratepayers and the city officials, is of the most meagre and most uncomfortable character. The latter, who have to carry out the duties of their respective offices under groat difficulties, are of course the greatest sufferers. This being so, and the fact remaining that it is necessary for improvements to bo made, the question comes, how temporarily to supply the want? Some little time back, in view of the necessary delay in accepting plans, &c., wo made a suggestion that the old Post Office, which is the property of the corporation, should bo utilised as a temporary Town Hall and Municipal Offices. The arguments then used seem to ns now to be very much stronger,because (herois every prohalility of the qu gfon of erecting a Town Hall being loffpi nad for a considerable period. The question then arises, what can bo done to meet the necessity for increased accommodation, and wo think that on consideration it will bo seen that our suggestion | as to tho building in the Market i

Place will moot the case. It is central, easily convertible, at small expense, so as to render it fit for the purpose intended. There are offices attached, which can bo utilised for the town clerk and other departmental officers whilst a small expenditure will convert the central room into a very commodious meeting place for the City Council. Under any circumstances it will bo considerably better than the present one, and the change will not entail any large expenditure of the money of the ratepayers. The rent derivable from the building in the Market Square is so small as not to be worth consideration when weighed against the advantages which would accrue from the change proposed. It appears to us that some provision will have to be made in view of the postponment of the erection of the new buildings, and the plan now suggested seems to be the best that can be adopted under the circumstances. It certainly has the merit of being economical, and we hope to see the matter ventilated in the Council. If it is brought up and discussed from all points, though it may not bo accepted, it may probably result in some plan being thought of which will enable the City Council officers to bo placed in a position to discharge their duties without the many inconveniences to which they are at present subject. The old Post Office is certainly not a beautiful building viewed from the exterior. But neither are the City Council chambers, and wo cannot help thinking that if the Council were to brace up their minds ta the change that they would soon feel the comfort of the additional elbow room.