NEW TOWN HALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3015, 25 March 1926, Page 3

NEW TOWN HALL.

SKETCH PLANS APPROVED. ALTERNATE TENDERS IN BRICK AND CONCRETE. A special meeting of the Borough Council was held on Tuesday evening to discuss sketch plans of the new Town Hall and to confer with the architect, Mr. M. R. Varnham, F.N.Z.I.A. The Mayor (M. E. Perreau, Esq) presided and there were present: Crs M. H. Wfalker, W. Adams, C. Rand, E. Parkin, T. Winstanley, E. Cowley, F. Woods, R. J. Thompson and R. McMurray. The Mayor said as this was the first meeting he had attended since the destruction of the Town Hall,which happened during his temporary absence from the town, he would like to express his appreciation of the action taken by the Council during his absence in getting through the preliminary work for the reconstruction of the Town Hall. The Council had now the sketch plans before them and he hoped they would give full consideration to details and thoroughly discuss the whole question with the architect. He regretted the disaster which had befallen the town. He said a proposal had been made, and would' be submitted to them, from Mr. W .Hamer offering the sale of the Royal Theatre to the ratepayers in lieu of erecting a building. Another matter which would be placed before them was a request from members of the Plunket Society for accommodation in the new building. The Council then went into committee to discuss Mr. Hamer’s offer and upon resuming a motion was carried to the effect that the offer be not entertained as it was the general opinion that the Town Hall be erected. APPLICATION BY PLUNKET SOCIETY. A letter was read from the Plunket Society-asking for a room for the Piunket Nurse and rest room in the new building. The Mayor said he had been approached by members of the society on this matter and had suggested that the request be put in writing and submitted to the Council. Cr. Adams said'lie appreciated the good work of the society, but was opposed to providing any “side shows” in the Town Hall. There was plenty of room ifi I 1 oxton for the erection -of a small suitable building for the Piunket Society. He did not believe in people coming to the Borough Council for everything. The Council should concentrate on the erection of a Town Hall and exclude all else except a sup-per-room. Separate buildings should be erected for separate institutions. Cr. McMurray said they all realised the great work the society was accomplishing all oyer the world. They were not asking somethnig for nothing, but were prepared to pay rent for the rooms if provided, which would be re-venue-producing. He was of opinion that the Council should not only provide the rooms asked for, but should also make provision for a public library and reading room in the new building. In the latter connection the people had been let down when the Council Chambeis had been erected, which should have included these conveniences, which the ratepayers sanctioned in the loan for the purpose. He urged that the ratepayers be afforded the opportunity to vote on the matter as to whether the Town Hall should include a reading-room and library or whether these should be excluded. The matter was a simple one. Cr. Walker rose to a point of order. He said the subject was Piunket room accommodation. Cr. McMurray said other towns provided such combined buildings, and the ratepayers should be given an opportunity to express their views at the poll. Cr. Parkin opposed the application and said the society should build a home for themselves. “They will be asking for a private hospital presently,” he added. Cr. Cowley favoured making provision in the Town Hall for the requirements of the Piunket Society. The room would only be used once a week. The society was doing a great amount of good and it must not be forgotten that the babies would be the future citizens of Foxton. The Town Clerk said the Society were offered a room upstairs in the building destroyed, but did not avail themselves of it. The Municipal Association’s solicitor had given an opinion that loan moneys could not be expended for the erection of buildings outside the control of the Council. The Mayor said it might be possible by a slight alteration in the plans to make provision for the society’s needs. Cr. Winstanley said he would like to see some provision made in the new building for the society’s operations. , Cr. Rand asked whether it would be possible to erect a small building for the society. The Town Clerk: The building next to the Council Chambers could be used. . It was finally resolved to inform the Piunket Society that it could make use of the two cloak-rooms in the new building. PLANS DISCUSSED. The sketch plans of the new building were then inspected and discussed . Crs McMurray, Cowley and Winstanley urged that provision should be made in the new. building for a public reading room and library, as

by so doing the ratepayers would lie saved expense and the necessity for a fresh loan proposal at some future date.

It was decided to adopt the plans submitted and alternate tenders to be called for the erection in brick and concrete. PUBLIC LIBRARY. l! was reported that the C. M. Ross Co. had offered a room in (heir buildings as a temporary library at a weekly rental of 10/-. Cr. McMurray: The rental represents interest and sinking fund on a loan of £SOO.

The acquiring of a room was left in the hands of the Library Committee with power to act and it was decided to call in all books in possession of subscribers. PIANO.

The Town Hall Committee were authorised to purchase a piano.