NEW COUNCIL CHAMBER.

Shannon News, 11 August 1925, Page 3

NEW COUNCIL CHAMBER.

“WORTHY OF LEVIN AND DISTRICT.” COUNTY CHAIRMAN’S APPRECIATION. The Horowhenua County Council field its first meeting in the spacious Council Chamber at the new Municipal Buildings this moaning. The County chairman, Cr. Monk, took the opportunity to express nis appreciation of the convenience of the new unices and Chamber. ' Mr Monk said lie understood that the Chamber had not been formally opened yet, but be vy-ould like to welcome councillors at their first meeting in the new Chamber. He felt that ko far as the local bodies of the district were concerned, they .were now well and properly housed. He referred particularly to the offices of the various bodies. Everybody who had been in close touch with the officers knew that they had been labouring under very great difficulties in the manner in which they 'were cramped for room. The clerk told Him it was wonderful what could be accomplished when everything was at hand and trie staff could go straight ahead with their work. . The County had now a very suitable suit of offices, and though the work had been satisfactorily performed, in the past, lie felt confident better work would be done in the future.

“What 1 particularly rose to speak about, continued tlie chairman, “is this Chamber. We have here a very, nice Chamber and one that will fully serve the requirements Of the local bodies of this district for many years to come. We are not likely to require a better one in our time. It is very satisfactory to know that our district has progressed to such an extent as to nave attained something, in keeping with it.’’ He would like' to say they appreciated having such a Chamber where they could meet and conduct their business. He felt h was a Chamber in keeping with me requirements of tire important local bodies centering on Levin. He understood it was quite , likely the Borough Council would have some official function and for the present therefore he wished simply to welcome councillors 1 to the scene of their future deliberations.

Cr. Harkness said that every councillor would undoubtedly appreciate the welcome given by the chairman. Speaking of the .Chamber, he thought quite historic and important legislation were going to take place therein, in the past the old Chamber had not been in keeping with the importance of tlie work wnich had been transacted. “This fills the bill” continued Mr Harkness, and business conducted within its wails will reflect mutual benefit to the whole of the county. He. hoped that their relations at council meetings would continue to be as amicable as they had been in the past and that a spirit of harmony would prevail within its walls. Cr. Ryder said it had always been a pleasure to be present at the Council meetings. 'The old building certainly served its purpose. The district was unquestionably growing and the local bodies were entitled to offices in keeping with their requirements.

The chairman said he thought credit should he extended to the people of Levin. He was one of those who had the feeling that it would be some years before these buildings would be a paying 'enterprise. But he had noticed the progress of Levin, in keeping with the advancement of the district, and he felt now that the town took a step in the right direction in initiating the scheme and that the enterprise would be a paying proposition before very long. Levin had reached a size that justified these buildings. That was his. personal feeling. The business: of the meeting then proceeded.