PROTEST AGAINST FIRE STATION SITE.

Shannon News, 4 May 1928, Page 3

PROTEST AGAINST FIRE STATION SITE.

DISCUSSED BY BOROUGH COUNCIL DECISION TO REMAIN. The, decision of the Borough Council to give the Fire Brigade permission to erect a building in the road line m Plimmer Terrace, to be used as a .fire station, has drawln from Mr E.T. Moody, the following protest, which was discussed at the Council meeting on Tuesday evening:— ‘ ‘I notice that it. is the intention of the Council to permit the Shannon Fire Brigade to erect a building upon the road lmo ot Plimmer Terrace immediately at tne rear of the stationmaster’s residence. I doubt if this matter has received the fdll consideration of the Council, and as a resident of this town desire to enter a protest against the above proposal. I am informed that the land upon which it is proposed to erect the building forms part of the main street through the town. This street is dedicated to the Council for the. use and enjoyment bf the people with full right of afecess thereover at all tunes, and the Council, as trustees for the people, are bound to see that this right is in no way restrained; yet we have the Council agreeing to permit a building of a permanent nature to be erected on the road line. It is true that the part of the road in question is seldom used by the public at the present time, but what of the future? And again, has the Council power to permit a building to be erected on a public road? Another point for consideration. The Council has a beautifying committee whose duty would seem to .be to beautify the .town, , with such funds as are available. In this direction, good work has already been done, but now the Council, by permitting the erection of the building for the. File Brigade on the main street, will nullify such good work. The alignment of the street will be spoilt, and no .matter what is done to the building, it cannot be a thing of such arehitectuial beauty as to warrant its -being piojected into the vision of the residents and the hundreds who pass through the town daily. There would be some excuse were there no laud available tor the erection of the building (in a central position), but the Council has several sections which would be quite suitable, and surely one of these could be utilised. If not, many other sections in a handy position could be obtained at a nominal rental. The Fire Brigade is worthy of the support and assistance of the Council and residents, but such assistance should not be given by the Council to the detriment'of. the .residents. ' I trust that the Council will give this matter further consideration and do nothing which will spoil its good record to date.” The Mayor asked councillors if they , wished to say anything on the matter. Cf. Thwaites said that so far as having the right to erect a building on a public noad was concerned hewvould poinjt out that the Wellington City Council had placed memorials on sections of streets. The Town Clerk read the Municipal Act, which showed that this can be dqihe with permission from the Council. \ Cr. Jas. Curran, jun., stated that when the building was erected, it would be fenced off the same as the plots. Cr. Thwaites said he understood the building would have a rusticated front with up-an-down boarding on the sides. - I l ' i

The Mayor: “The letter does not object to the architectural design, but to the site.”

Cr. Hyde stated that he was in opposition to the site when it was considered by the Council and he still was. To his mind the matter should be reconsidered. He agreed fully with the text, of the letter, that it would nullify the work of the Beautifying Committee. Before many* years it would look like 1 an old shed in the main street.

The Mayor: Gif it does, that will be the fault of the Council/ ’ Cr. Richardson: “I think it is a pity to erect it in the main street, r. Cr. Curran, jun., said the proposal coiae from the Fire Brigade, who had suggested it in the best interests of all.

The Mayor was of opinion that the building being erected at the end ol the plot, as decided, would not break up the uniformity of the road line. Cr. Curran, jun., said that if another convenient section was available hi would like to see the building go on it. If the Council could see its way to give a piece of grouiul from its Stout Street section, //that would probably suit the Brigade better. He added that this section had been ear-marked for the swimming baths. Cr. Hyde then gave notice of motion to move, “That the question of site be reconsidered.” sen., said that if a deputation of ratepayers had protested it would be a different matter, but he did not see why they should reconsider the question on the opinion of one ratepayer. ; Continuing, Cr. Hyde said that if the Council were firmly convinced that the building should go on the site already decided upon, it was only a waste of time to put a notice of motion to rescind it. It would only hang up the matter, besides -placing the Fire Brigade in an awkward position, seeing they had made arrangements to move the building in from Mangahao. He, therefore, was willing to withdraw his notice of motion. Cr. Downes said the building should have rusticating boarding and be nieely painted. It would be a mistake to have up-and-down boards. The only way out was for some benefactor to donate a section.

Cr, Curran, sen.: If we applied t< the Railway Department, they may let us have a piece of land along the front of the main street. They still have one or two vacant sections.

Cr. Downes: The idea is to have the station as near the bell as possible. Cr. Curran, jun.: The best thing the Brigade can do is to sell the timber and then there will lie no wrangling. Cr. Hyde: There is no wrangling. The Council have decided on the site. The question is, Are they going to re-con-si dor it? C!r. Downes said that if there was opposition from the Railway Department and ratepayers, they would have to remove it, and that would put both l the Borough Council .and Fjrc Brigade in an awkward position. The Town Clerk said the building would not have to be removed if the Council had granted permission. Cr. Downes: If enough pressure is brought to bear, it would have to be removed? Cr. Curran, ;jun.: Or the members I of the Councirwould.be removed. { Cr. Hyde: It is no use mo leaving my j notice of motion to re-consider the matter, if the Council are all agreed that their decision should stand, So I am willing to withdraw it. Cr. Thwaites said lie did not agree with Mr Moody that the alignment of the street would be spoilt, as it would S be in line with the plots. The Mayor asked for %. show of hands as to whether the Council wished their ;o previous decision to stand. With the ; exception of Crs. Hyde and Richardson, the rest of the Council were in : favour. Cr. Richardson did not vote.