CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 287, 28 October 1875, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER.

TO THE EdII'OR Off THE ' EVENINO MAIL.' Sis—There appears to be some misunderstanding respecting the proposed purchase of the premises in Trafalgar-street at present rented by the City Conacil. It is not, nor was it ever, the intention of the Council to purchase .the premises and pay the amount in a lump sum out of the city ra'es. Tha simple facts, so far a* f can learn, are shortly as follows :—Ths Council finding the pemlsea cow in their occupation ao admirably suite i to the convenience of themselvea and the pub'b business considered it desirable that some arrangement should ho made to secure tbe property for ths future. The ageats for the prop-rty gave n> hop-a of a renewal of the lease (which has some two year* to run) at tla i present rental, as they did not consider tiiafc the fair rental of the property wou'd be less than £100 per annum, they having expendei some £70 on sub&tant tial repairs, and the premi-es having costhem upwards of £900. They, however, stated that as it was not convenient for the Society for which they were acting to hold kndei property, they would sdl them for £575, and were willing to make the most liberal terras as to the payment of the purchase money. Should the Council not accept this offer, ofcauraeany private person may buy the premises, and of course if the Council then require them they will have to pay a heavy rental. J The property has been assessed in the city valuations at £1200 and upwards, and besite's the repairs already alluded to the Council have expended a considerable sum in fl:fn(r up the Council Chamber and offices, and the gas fitting workshop at the back. The interest on the purchase money would be £70 per annum. After deducting £25 per annum, rent paid for private residence, there would be £45 chargeable in equal portions to Waterworks, Gasworks, and city rates For this uuni weahould haveprerais-.s unsurpassed in utility and convenience to the general body of the i atepayera to any in the city. It is true the Council could have the premises at Saltwater Bridge, oreven those adjacent to the Gasworks, but in addition to the objection of the cost of making either of them auitible, theie distance from the centre of the t >wn wou'd entail a considerable loss (if time upon those who had business there which to laboring men especially would mean a serious inconvenience. It is also suggested that when the Abolition of Provinces Act coraei into operation the General Government would be willing to hand over the provincial buildings to the city but even supposing that they would, which is most improbable, the maintenance and repairs would cost some £2 io to £300 per annum. Neither the buildings nor the situation would be cr nveaient for either the Council or the public. I would remind th:se who ore so actively opposing the action which they assume the G v til ore about to take, that on a simi'ar occasion to the pres nt, wlun it was proposed to buy the Dun Mountain Company's tramway for the city, a co-called public meetiog decided against the purchase, which was stcordingly abandoned. Subsequent events have shown how much better it would have been to have l<ft unfettered the judgment of thosa whose efforts for tha welfare of the city extended a little b?yond the immediate neceseitiea of the day. As to the public meeting ta be held this evening, I can only aay that without questioning the right of two private in Jlviduata to call a public meeting for the purp-se of obtaining an expression of opinion adverse to the course which it l 8 assumed the City Council intend to adopt, I thnk it shows extremely bad taste oi the part of one, who bo lately aspired to the poaition of Councillor, t> en deavor to bring public censure upon these who are, according to the best of their juVment striving to serve the true Interests of the ratepayers, who neither get nor expect any payment lor their services, and who, it is admitted on all sides, have since taking office managed the affairs of the city with credit to themselves and the citizens at large. I am, &c, Ohb who always vAxa ma Batbb,