NEW BUILDING IN WILLOW STREET

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 10212, 24 October 1929, Page 3

NEW BUILDING IN WILLOW STREET

- —» SITE ON BOROUGH ALLOTMENT. TWO-STOREY STRUCTURE. The Borough! .Council, a,t a special meeting held last night, approved of a proposal to erect, a two-storey building on the municipal allotment in Willow Street next the Town Hall. The subject was introduced by . a report submitted, by the Electricity Committee, which met. on Tuesday evening and reported: "The proposals, together with. draft plans, showing new offices for the electricity department and embodying library accommodation and chop premises wore under consideration. —Resolved after full consideration that the Council be recommended t : o adopt the proposal." A sketch plan was also laid on the table. The Mayor (Mr B. C. Robbins), in speaking to the report of the Electricity Committee, said the time had arrived when more room was required for the Electricity Department. It was proposed to erect a two-storey building on the land next the Town Hall. On the ground floor would be a shop to let. electricity showroom, engineer's room, manager's room, store room and workshop. On the top floor it was. proposed to provide a permanent home for the public library and reading room, with librarian's room. It way further suggested that accommodation be provided for a reference hall. It was also proposed to have a social hall for public meetings and social gatherings. Money would be coming in from the Public Works Department for electricity and it was estimated that there would be a surplus of £SOOO or £6OOO. This money could be utilised for the new building. He had consulted the borough solicitor and such expenditure would be legal. It was a good investment and would show a return of five or six, per cent. The proposition was a wise one, and the Comimittee recommended it. to the Council with every confidence. If it were adopted by the Council he suggested that the Electricity Committee be authorised to have detailed plans prepared for submission to the Counoil. The cost of t.he building was estimated not to exceed £6OOO. He moved—That the Council agree to the principle of erecting a building as indicated, and the Electricity Committee be authorised to have detailed plans prepared for submission to the Council. Cr Allcly seconded.

Cr Ivory supported the proposal. There was, he said, a reserve fund of £II,OOO or £12,000 in connection with the Electricity Account. This year the Council would receive an additional £SOOO or £6OOO from the Government- There was need for office and showroom accommodation and the proposal could be carried out without cost to the ratepayers. Ho urged that the Mayor should have an office in the municipal building. The question of re-hous-ing the library had been before previous Councils. The ratepayers and citizens would be behind the Council in providing a new home for the library. The site of the new building was in Willow Street next the Town Hall. The building would add to the improvements and amenities of the town. He was pleased to support the projposal. Or Whiting supported the proposal. There was need for .another room for the engineer, and the Mayor should also have a room. There were many valuable books in the library and a new home was necessary for them. The old library, at small expenditure, could be made suitable for a Plunket room and ladies’ rest room.

'Cr Newsham approved of the showroom and library, but contended that the library should be on the ground Coor. The Mayor replied that when the vote of ratepayers was taken the proposal was for a libary upstairs. In many towns in the Dominion the library was on the top floor. In reply to Cr Tanner, the Mayor said the Act had _ been amended to allow the erection of shops by Borough Councils. Cr Tanner said the proposal was a bombshell to him. He was against the Council erecting a shop. He urged _that time should be given to councillors to consider the proposal. Crs Newsham and Stuart concurred. Cr Ivory explained that the plan (before the Council was a rough sketch. The motion was to approve of the principle and that detailed plans bo prepared. The Mayor, in replying, said the money was available and the Council would not have to go to the ratepayers. A proposal had been put to the ratepayers and carried, and provided for shops with the library upstairs. A shop, as indicated on the plan, wcmld produce substantial revenue. A good many municipalities had erected houses and shops. The final plana would be submitted to the Council. A reading room and library upstairs were desirable. Cr Tanner moved an amendment the borough architect be given authority to prepare plans for a building and submit same 'to the Council.—-The motion, he said, would commit the Council.

Or Stuart seconded. The Mayor asked what was the use of requesting the architect to prepare plans unless they had made up their minds in regard to going on with the building. _Or Ivory said the primary consideration was accommodation for the electricity department. The library and the shop details could be discussed at future meetings, let the Council decide to erect_ a building to house the electricity department and possibly the library. Cr Whiting though thc_ Council should pass the resolution. < The scheme was a good one iand a simple one. He liked the idea of the shop, and the site was very valuaable for such a purpose. Cr Newsham thought the scheme wafc a good one, but favoured the amendment. The matter should be deferred fill next meeting. Cr Tanner, with the consent of bis seconder, altered his amendment to read—That as the councillors have not had sufficient time to consider the proposal it be deferred. The amendment was negatived, tKe voting being; Ayes; Crs Tanner, Newsham ; iikl Stuart. , „ Noes: The Mayor and Crs Allely, Daines, Whiting, Law and Ivory.