STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD.

NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS. OFFICIAL OPENING. (From Our Own Correspondent). •Stratford. June 8. The official opening of the new municipal offices and building took place this evening in the borough chambers, in the presence of a very large attendance. Another link in the progress of Stratford is the completion of the new Jlunicipal Buildings. The old buildings were totally destroyed by fire, on October 23, 1914. The Council then in, office, with. Mr. W. P. Kirkwood as Mayor, immediately set to work to devise ways and means of reinstating the building, /irst of all, trouble was experienced with the tenants of the burnt-out shops, ,-rlio in Some instances would not ;ancal their leases, with the result that while the Council were anxious to erect up-to-ciate and large shops they had to conform to the leases, with the result that instead of two large shops being built the Council had to build four of small frontage, but with plenty of depth. After getting over this difficulty the question of financing the building was something to be laced, and after consideration the Council decided to raise the m'oney by debentures, and this .van easily accomplished. The ,vork of designing tiie building was entrusted to Mr. J. 0. Healy, one of our local ureilitects, and so well have his plans been carried out that there is not £5 in extras in the whole contract.

The past Council spent many lours at special Jieetings before the jjlans were finally agreed to, and it is to the credit of the Mayor and councillors of the late.Council that such an up-to-date building has been erected. Tenders were called in May of last year, and that of Mr. J. L. McMillan, of Wellington, for £8702 10s. was accepted, and, with the cost of furnishing the building, the sum raised by debentures ot £9OOO will be slightly exceeded.

The bottom floor consists of fiour shops and three offices Each shop has a depth of 71 feet. The main entrance i« 12ft wide, and has plastered walls. At the end of the main entrance, about ?3ft, one enters the Borouogli Council offices, built at the end of the property, by a fine vestibule, with tiled floor. Jn the left of the vestibule is the Mayor's room, 17ft by 12ft.- which will he furnished in keeping \vith this important office. To the right is the public office, a fine room 29ft' by 19ft, with strong room and spacious counters and up-to-date office fittings. Leading from the vestibule is the council chamber. 40ft by 21ft, which is somewhat larger than the old chamber. This i'oom has been beautifully finished with fibrous plastered ceilings and walls. The furniture is in keeping with the room, and- is provided with a circular table in cedar, with fine comfortable easy chairs in leather, while the Mayor's chair is situated on a dais, with "a panelled screen on the back. In front of this -dais is the town clerks' table, ivhile on the right of the Mayor is the engineer's table, and to the left the Press table. The furnishings for the chamber were all made locally. fho walls o." the chamber are adorned with beautifully framed photographs of members of each council since Ae inception of the borough. At the rear oi the pnblic room is the town clerk's private offica, 17ft by 12ft. and it is nircly tumished and well lighted Alongside ia ihe engineer's office, lflft by 12ft, and -.pare offices, 17ft by 12ft and 12ft by 12ft. With these offices the Council should have sufficient accommodation for many yenrs to conic. The whole of the floors of the borough offices are laid down with :6rk linoleum. The whole of the council chambers arc lighted and heated by electricity. Leaving the council chambers, the first floor is reached by a concrete staircase, with moisaic tile treads and ornamental balustrades, and polished cedar handrail. . At the top of the stairs to the left is the public library, 33ft by ISft, while on the right is the public reading room, 33ft by ?3fi. and whatever may have been the complaints "n the past of Stratford not having ,ar. up-to-date library and reading-room foi the town, these are now dispelled by the modern and well-lighted rooms that are /low provided for the public. The whole of the ceilings on the top floor are finished with fibrous plaster, and the walls with Keen cement.

Four suites of roomy offices are provided on this floor, while a spacious tearoom, 4Gft by 33ft has been provided, and is well-furnished and lighted. At the side of the tea-room is a commodious kitchen, with a large cooking range and all conveniences, including hot and cold water. The kitchen may also be reached by a back stairs. In the back-yard a rubbish destructor has oeen erected for the use of the occupants of the offices and shop. The contractor (Mr. J. I-i. McMillan) is to be complimented on the fine building he has erected. The building is a credit to Stratford and its ratepayers, and is another sign of the prosperity and progress of the town.

HIS WORSHIP'S SPEECH. His Worship said he was pleased to have associated with him Messrs W. iP. Kirkwood, J. Masters, G. Sangster and X. J. King, former occupants of the Mayoral chair, and he also had pleasure in extending a hearty welcome to past councillors, wbo had served the ratepayers at various periods in Stratford's career. He referred to the death of Mr. P. F. Ralfe, who had Riled many public offices in Stratford, and moved that a vote of condolence be sent to Mrs. 0. M. Curtis op the death of her father, who was one of Stratford's most respected citizens, and that his valuable services as mayor and councillor be placed on record. The motion was carried in silence, the councillors and guests standing. His Worship then referred to tlip destruction of the old building, and in the loss of £9OO in revenue and rates, besides a loss of £IOOO over and above the insurance, and office furniture of £4OO. This, meant a loss of over £2300. The old building was a fine asset and a revenue-producer, and the Council who carried out that scheme were to be commended for their fine work, but the population when the old building »vas erected in 1800 was 1850, and to-day it was/over 3000, an increase of nearly 100 per cent., and the building h.ad outgrown its usefulness. Both the old library and reading-room were too small, and the town clerk and engineer had no rooms, and it was impossible to get the best work from such conditions. In referring to the new buildings, his Worship remarked on the good work carried out by the architect (Mr. J. I). Healy) and the contractor (Mr. J. L. McMillan, and said that the work done by both had been faithfully carried out. ' The Council would save a considerable sum each year in insurance premiums through having a ferro-eoncrete I'oSMipg that was practically fireproof.

His Worship then formally declared the buildings open. Mr. W. 1\ Kirlcwood said the delay in re-building was caused through having to make arrangements with the tenants who held leases regarding the new building. He thought the ratepayers should be proud of the architecture of the building. Two plans were submitted, one of an ornamental design and the other plain, and the Council decided on a plain building. He hoped further buildings built in Stratford would be of the same substantia! nature. The ratepayers were to be congratulated on .possessing such a fine building, and all that was necessary to complete the appearance of Broadway was ;> tarred macadam road, and he felt sure it would soon pay for itself in the upkeep. The prosperity of Stratford was 110 doubt due to the dairying industry. The dairy companies close to Stratford were paying out £30,000 per month, and they could realise the volume of business that was going through jtratford. One thing the town needed was more local industries. Referring co the StratfordMain Trunk railway, he knew some people would jot agree in touching on a matter like this in war time, but men were taken off this line and placed on other lines of minor importance. U was the duty of the local bodies and the people of ,he district to see that this line vvas kept i.p and linked up as soon as possible with the Main Trunk line. Within twelve m6liths the port of Motnroa would' be opened tor ocean liners, and ihe trade, that should come to it througn the line not being opened would be lost, and the importance of the work should be brought before the Government.

Mr. ,}. Masters complimented the architect on such :v fine building and tlie contractors on tlie excellent job made of it, and tin- town shuld be proud of possessing such a fine structure. He could not help thinking that the town had not progressed enough in the matter of buildings. Some of the speakers bad stressed on the destruction of the building by fire, but he thought it was- ?. blessing in disguise, for if this had not happened this fine building would not have been erected. He thougiit the Council should not be anxious to let the offices. They .should first of all try aim lease the fine tea-rooms, even if they did not get the rent expected for ii year or two, because an up-to-date tea-room would soon bring tenants to the office. Mr. Geo. Sangster said from a farmer's point of view Stratford was the best farmer's town in the North Island. He did not agree with Mr. Kirlovood regarding the agitation for the completion of the Stratford-Main Trunk railway. He thought at a time like this every effort should lie made to produce as much as possible . f or the troops at the j'ront. ' The laud in and around Stratford was not -producing half as much as it should do. and he thougiit thev should concentrate their energies in this matter instead of building railways. Mr. N. J. King.added his congratulations. Air. G. N. Curtis, the first chairman of the Stratford Town Board, said that when he looked back and thought of the Unie when he first arrived in Stratforc sand now saw. the fine building that day 'Ht .'llmost seemed a dream, lie congratulated the Council and ratepayers upon the possession of so fine a building. The Ladies' Patriotic Committee held a social and euchre party ill tlie large tea-room (upstairs and this was largely attended. The Egmont Club orchestra, under the baton of Mr. R. Cottier, rendered some fine items during the evening.