WHANGAREI TOWN HALL

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 166, 12 July 1912, Page 9

WHANGAREI TOWN HALL

(By Telegraph.—Own CorresponSent.)

WHANGAREI, Thursday. This afternoon in the presence of a fairly large number of representative citizens Mr. T. U. Steadman, Mayor, laid the foundation stone of th-e new Town Hall and municipal buildings ill Bank Street. Addressing the aßs-errtbly the Mayor stated that the building in course of construction would cost between £800 and fiWO more limn was provided for •by the loan money, due to no provision having l>een made for seating or lighting. This could be raised cither from revenue, levying a special rate, or getj ting the lnurgesses to authorise a. special loan. 'Personally 'he advocated a special rate, whirfi would only amount to Id or £<i 'in the pound' for one year", and if spread over a few yeaTS would not be fert. The estimated outside cost of tbe Town Hail and buildings was £8,132. At present the account in band was '£7,316 0/. When completed the edifice would be a credit to Whangarei. The question of the right of. way by the hall was under consideration by the Council. •Mr. H. C. Grierson, architect;, presented the Mayor with a handsome silver trowel, with carved greenstone handle. After placing copies of .papers containing accounts of the defeat of the Government, ami Home coins under it. the Mayor declared the stone well and truly laid, hoping the superstructure to rise above it would give satisfaction to the bursjesseß. Mr. W. A. Carruth congratulated th« Mayor and Council and public of Wha-u-n-arei on the realisation of a building that would be both useful and ornamental to the town. Cheers for the 'Mayor and Borough Council concluded the ceremony. The new buildings) are expected to be completed in February, 1913.