THE STOKE FOR THE TOWN HALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 306, 23 December 1908, Page 3

THE STOKE FOR THE TOWN HALL.

(To the Edltor.i Sir, —I see by your issue of the 17th inst., that a large quantity of Oamaru stone is likely to be used in the erection of our new Town Hall. This, I consider, is a great mis-ake on the part of all tlie officials concerned in its recommendation. This class of stone Jas proved quite unfit for building purposes in Auckland. What it may be in other places I do not know. But a glance at the work done with Oamaru stone here in Auckland ■will convince anyone of its unfitness for outside work. In a few years it just crumbles away, the projecting cornices fret away with the stress of weather. It also takes in such a lot of water, and retains it, that it soon turns green, and moss grows on it so thick that it needs to be cleaned down periodically; and when the moss is taken off, part of the stone comes away with it. Buildings in Auckland erected within the last twenty-five years are now decaying. If the sceptical require proof let them inspect such places as Sargood and Company's warehouse, Auckland Freezing Company's buildings on the Railway wharf, and many other buildings that have been faced with this stone. I think they will be quite satisfied tha-t it enould never be used in any of our good public buildings. The Oamaru stone used in the construction of the buildings mentioned above was of two different brands, and admitted to be the btst procurable. Yet it has not stood the test of time. In face of this, how can we expect it is going to stand in the Town Hall! There are very few buildings but what are damp where this stone is used; especially if the stone goes through the wall, and is not backed up by some hard stone. I am sure if the ratepayers of this City were alive to the mistake that is being made, they would not begrudge a few thousand pounds extra to have a proper material used in the construction of what should be our leading building, especially as there is a stone now in Auckland second to none in the wide world—a stone that if found near any other town in the Australasian colonies would certainly be used for any large public building of this character. I am ' informed that the bluestone to be used in the base of the Town Kail is coming from Melbourne. The Auckland ratepayers should be made aware of the fact that we are debarred from sending any stone (dressed or rou~h) to Australia, through there being , a heavy duty against it. Yet we let in their stone free and use it, simply because it is a little cheaper ■ than our best local stone, Coromandel i granite, a stone which is infinitely sui perior to Melbourne bluestone, in appearsjice, texture and durability. Only a -short time ago, Sir. E. Bartlej (architect) found it necessary to cut oui iof the Auckland Savings Bank some ot I this Melbourne bluestone, because it was J decaying-, and had it replaced with CoroI ma.nde\ granite. Also just recently a J large quantity of stone was condemned j in Wellington after being prepared, ready I to use, and our \oca\ granite used in its place. J Granite is a stone that will last , for ever: then why use a stone that we i are not certain will last half a century ? I —-I am. etc., PRACTICAL MASOK.