NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS PROPOSED.

Shannon News, 14 November 1924, Page 2

NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS PROPOSED.

The Mayor reported to the Borough Council on Tuesday night that a special meeting of a committee consisting of himself and Crs. Hyde, Murray, Beard and Butt was held on Monday evening to consider a motion by Cr. Hyde to erect new municipal buildings. They had gone into the style of building required and it had been recommended to erect a twostorey building consisting on the downstairs portion of a Council office, reading room, library in front and custodian’s residence at the back of three rooms, while on the second storey would be the Council Chambers and two offices for letting purposes, these being divided by a passage and landing leading from the staircase. The approximate cost would be £3000.

Cr. Gunning: I think we had better try and carry on for a while with the present building. There is the question of drainage and street improvements coming on and I feel we want more shoulders to carry the burden. I would not support this until the water scheme is done with. Cr. Hyde: We have gone past the carrying-on stage. This shack (referring to the Council Chambers) is a disgrace to the town and if it belonged to a private individual would have been condemned long ago. Half the interest on the cost of the new building could be derived by letting the offices. The Mayor: This town cannot run more than £28,000 in loans and we already owe £14,000. Cr. Beard: Don’t you think the ratepayers should say how much we are to borrow?

The Mayor; Yes. But there are a lot of people who don’t look at effect, if we become over-rated people will not be able to live here. Cr. Murray; If we borrow money to improve our streets the interest would not come as a direct tax from the people as the cost of maintenance would not be so great. Councillors agreed that £28,000 was the limit to which the Borough could commit itself, but Cr. Hyde pointed out that there were essentials they must have. Since the Borough was formed the valuation had increased by £25,000 and he contended that now they had the water and light, if a valuation was taken there would be a further increase. The Mayor: I would support borrowing up to £28,000 for things that were essential. The matter was then allowed to stand over.