MUNICIPIAL CHAMBERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4865, 14 August 1925, Page 2

MUNICIPIAL CHAMBERS.

QUESTION OF EXCAVATION. DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL. In connection with the carrying bf the recent loan poll to borrow £2OOO fcr the purpose of building municipal offices, on a site next to the new’ post office in Normanby Road , the position was discussed at last night’s meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council. In opening his remaiks Cr. E. Edwards said he believed that the loan had been unexpectedly authorised by a substantial majority. (Laughter.) With some diffidence he wished to make a suggestion, that as the proposed building was to be a singlestorey one, it would look more imposing if erected on the site as it stood at present, without any furthei excavaing. He thought that if the building was erected on the street level the post office would completely overshaddow it. Effective terracing could be. carried out, and in his opinion the building would look more imposing.

The Mayor (Mr W. Marshall.) thanked Cr. Edwards for bringing the suggestion forward in the interests of the ratepayers, and assured him that he need have no hesitation in mentioning the matter because he had been opposed to the proposal. Continuing, the Mayor said that he questioned if not excavating the site would be a wise procedure. Steps leading to public builidngs were not desirable, and the excavating would be done by the Public Works Department. He thought the building could be lifted at least two feet above the level of the street,' with a concrete ramp leading tp the main entrance. Cr. Sileock favoured the excavation, but thought that the building should stand back as far as possible from Normanby Road. The discussion was then dropped.