EN RE TOWN HALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 141, 13 June 1908, Page 7

IN RE TOWN HALL.

(To yie Editor.) Sir, —It may be of interest to the ratepayers of the City of Auckland for mc to explain more fully the reports appearing in the newspapers of an interview, very courteously accorded Mr. William Black by the City Fathers at their last committee meeting, convened for the puipose, I believe, among others, of dealing with the tenders for the proposed Town Hall.

On the 14th February, 1907 d< months .ago), in conjunction with mj brother Herbert, who is an Associate o the Royal Institute of British Architectpractising in Melbourne, I submitted a do sign for the Auckland Town Hall, to cost £60,000, and received second premium a< an award. When in Australia on a visit from Capetown, South Africa, when L have been in active and extensive prac tice for about 19 years, it was my privi lege to see the plans which were awardec first place, and believing that the buildinj with all modifications would cost £75,00{ (it least, thought it advisable to come tc New Zealand to watch events, as it to my mind evident that the architects had made so terrific a mistake as would place them out of court, and conse (juently the work would fall to the next in order of merit. All manner of concessions were mosi liberally, and I contend, fairly, allowec the authors of the design placed first That rigid economy in material and finis!; should be observed, was also very fairl} suggested by the arbitrators, and mofl liberally interpreted and observed. Thai tenders were called and duly received on the 4th June, 1908; that the saic tenders were considerably in excess Ci £80,000, this sum being over 33J pel cent of the sum of £60,000 allocated There can be little doubt building ha ; advanced slightly in cost -since the dr signs were received, but I contend a 12] per cent margin is a most liberal allow ance for any such increase. That believ ing a grave injustice has been done al the remaining 45 competitors as well ai my brother and self, I ventured the re quest of your City Fathers to be per mitted, free of all cost to the ratepayer? to prepare practical builders' working drawings and detailed specifications fron the small 16th scale competition sketchc and obtain tenders, and should I, aftci being accorded the same unrestricted fail play allowed the authore of the voidei design, fail in my endeavour, then tin work should fall to the next in orde; of merit. This most respectful and mod est request is, I find, denied mc. No-.v, 1 contend that it would be a gracious aci to award Messrs. Clarke and Clarke ai honorarium, but notice that these gentle men are not to be paid a premium. The ratepayers may not be aware that according to the conditions of competi tion the premium will in any case mcrgi into the commission, so that as a solacf and premium for their honourable mis take, they will possibly obtain 6 per cem on an additional £20,000 or £30,000, o: from <£1,200 to £1,800, instead of a paltry £400. —I am, etc., WILLIAM BLACK, Fellow of the Royal Institute o