THE TOWN HALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 3955, 6 April 1883, Page 2

THE TOWN HALL.

Conference Regarding Savings Bank Funds.

SymomU-street Site Negatived by the Council.

'I'm: subject of the proposed Town Hall was again before the City Council last night in varioui forms. A report was received from the Finance Committee in reference to th«ir conference with tho trustee* of the Savings Hank, concerning the surplus funds with which it ia Intended to erect the Town Hall. The report was at follows :—" The Committee met the Deputation from the trustees of the Auckland S/vings Bank, und after consulting with them re vote towards the erection ot building* for Free Public Library, recommend that a letter bo sont to the trustees requesting that they agree to assist the Council in the erection of said buildings byvotinga portion of their surplus profits towards that object, provided that tho Legislature pass an Act giving the neccuary authority, and, if poi»ible, to state the probable anouat; also, that the Council support the trustee* in obtaining tho signatures of the pnblic to a petition to both bianohtsof the Legislature ia favour of tbe bill which they propose to introduce) next soiaion giving tho authority required to act in this matter. In moving the adoption of tho report, jais Worship said tho bauk deputation did not appear to wish to go into the question of site or character of tbe building, They were prepared to Jeavu all tbat to the Council It was now diiirablo te get a voto of the trustees, and tho signatures of tho pnblic to tbe bill. Tbo report was adopted. The question of site was tnon brought np by Cr. Bell, who moved tho following motion standing in his name: "That the previous resolution of ih» Council fixing the sita of tho Town Hall be rescinded, and that the site of tho Town Hall and Municipal Offices bo erected upon the land belonging to the v.ity Corporation facing Symondistreet, situated between Mount-etroet and Wakefii Id-9treot." Tbe mover pointed out that this site was a very prominent one, and there would be plenty of room for the various offices including that of tbo Superintendent of I'olice. Be believed that in a few yearn tbe police would be under tho control of tho Council. Sufficient area would bo available for a reserve whero citizsus might hold openKir public moetings whenever they so dcstied, Ho recommeided that Mr Thomas Russell's properly bo s-cured for the ball site without further delay.—Cr. Masetield opposed tho motion, on the ground that Syrnonds-street was not tho centre of the city. Hepburn-street would ibo a much more ceutral position than Siymonds-strecr, as the city was fjoinfj in that direction.—Cr. Thompson fald if they wanted to look a hundred year* forward for the otntro of the city, he would recommend that tboy place the Town Hall on the top of Mount Eden, and have the reservoir below It, It was a farco talking in this manner about what would be the centre «f tbo city years hence.—Replying to Cr, Thompson re putting tbe hall on Mount Eden, Cr. 801 l remarked- "All riiiht; I'm quite willing." (laughter,) Tho motion was then put and negatived. A letter wi a then read from Moms Mow bray and Son ou oehalf of Mr Liuly, refusing thu iifier for the site adjoining the Army and INavy, and offering it for £1,600.-His Worship explained the position, the Army and Navy purchase being conditional upon this allotment being secured.— On tht motion of Cr. Thompson, the matter was referred to the Finance Committee to negotiate with Mr Lally as they had with Mr Jagxer, it being understood that they would otter one-bait tho amount iv dispute, or £1,390 for the allotment.—Cr, Aickin suggested that tho Adjoining allotment should alto be obtained if possible—His Worship said tho owner required £40 per foot for onch frontage.—Cr, Crowther con. tended (hat the Art Gallery arid Froe i ibrary were ths more nrgsntly required buildings, and he believed that common sento would so rule the Council that they would be the first buildings oreoted,