THE EGMONT COUNTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1915, Page 5

THE EGMONT COUNTY.

A FORWARD MOVE. OPENING OP NEW COUNCIL CHAMBERS. Friday last, as the chairman of fchj Egmont County Council remarked at the ordinary meeting of that body, formed an epocli in the history of Opunake, for it witnessed the opening of the new county chambers, and thus confirmed Opurmke as the Egmont county town. It is now some twelve years since the district now known as the Egmont county severed from the Taranaki county, and since then the county has had no permanent home, but has shifted its office on several occasions. On one occasion, indeed, it has suffered from the fires that are periodically prevalent; in the coastal township. The ratepayers have had a hard row to hoe to maintain their roads in the face of the greatly increasing, traflic, and have had very little money to spare for luxuries, all available finances being required for matal and plant. The need for suitable office accommodation became more and more apparent, and ihe business has been transacted under considerable difficulties as far as the ofli e stafV has been concerned. During the winter, too, the chilliness of the shop that did duty for the council chambers was much felt. The Council had the matter of the erection of suitable accommodation in hand for some time. A year or two ago a scheme was fecom mended by a previous Council which, it was hoped, would have enabled the Council to sit rent free. This embraced the erection of a two-storeyi building, to include club rooms, with ofliees, etc., to let as well. A section wae purchased in Napier street, and tender# were called for the work. A new Council was elected, however, and they considered the sehemc too elaborate. Th» offices in use at the time being burned, some office accommodation was rendered imperative. New plans were got out by, Mr. A. O'Brien, architect, of Opuntke, for a building to be utilised as council chambers, and the contract was let to -Mr. J. IV. Toiig, of Hawera, who wa» the successful tenderer. The new building certainly adds to the importance of Opunake. It is a solid-looking structure of one storey, built in reinforced concrete, the outside finished inVough cast, and tlie appearance of the facade' ia pleasing. The building is 35ft (tin bfl 27ft, and the height from floor to ceiling is I3lt. The whole of the inside is lined with asbestos sheeting, the joints covered with half-rmind battens, the picture rails and ceiling battens being ajuare. The main entrance opens into a vestibule, haying swing doors to a passage. On either side ia the clerk's office and the assistant's office respectively, and a strong room, 9ft by 6ft, opens from the clerk's office. Accommodation h also provided for the engincrr. The ooard room is 20ft 6in by 15ft. All the rooms are well lighted and ventilated, whilst a fireplace is provided in each. The building is lighted throughout with acetyleno gas from t;ie f own Board's service, and water is also laid on. The building is comfortably furnished. The contract price was£7so, and it speaks well for the specifications when it is stated that there were no extras.

'Prior to the commencement of the business on Friday, the chairman congratulated councillors on taking possession of sikh up-to-date offices. Tha office had been substantially buHt, and the county business should be done there for the next hundred years. The Egmont county had been constituted for twelve years, and of the first Council only Crs. Dudley, Campbell and himself were at present members. The Couaotl had shifted its offices at various times, but now had a permanent home. The bunders were to be congratulated on the ■ , solidity and finish of their work, the architect on the excellence of the plane* and the Council on their good taste in selecting the plan. They 'had received good value for their money, and tfle taxpayers should be well pleased. He hoped that the ratepayers would avail themselves of any opportunity of inspecting the oftice. lie trusted that the Council would carry on the business well in the new office and that in future generations their successors would meet there and administer the rates an the best interests oi the ratepayers. Or. Young congratulated the chairman on the completion of the offices. At one time he was doubtful if the financial position would permit of their erection, but the chairman, after going carefully into the matter, had assured him it would, and the present offices were the result. tr. McNeill stated that he had entered (lie Council on a ticket, opposed to the erection of the apparently big bundle of club rooms and offices at a cost of over .Ci'OOfl, while the roads were in such a bad way. but he must congratulate the chairman on the success attained. Cr.j Dudley, as tlie oldest member, oi the Council, having served continuously since the inception of the county, sai'd he was pleased to see the erection o< the building. It should have been built tears itfjo. .'or the Council had been domiciled in various holes and eorne-s He had advocated (lie erection of offices! and they now had a beautiful building, small kit well built. It was undoubtedly H step in the ri-bi, direction, though some ratepayers miyht complain that it was too liixiino'.'--. This t icw, however would (lie out in « (,»«■ weeks ago. ' At the IniU'iiiMin adjournment members toa>ted t.:e lutmv snccesi of the coimtv in the usual way, and the health of the loum'il, tin* piVfti, Uip rliriirman and the elvrk was h0n0r,..1. Mombers paid a high tribute to the aWiii.v and un/ailjiiw courtesy ui the rierk, .Mr. c. \y. n o ™ r :' who has held that position ever since i'if l county whs formed.