TOWN HALL SITE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14918, 17 March 1914, Page 7

TOWN HALL SITE.

CITIZENS' ASSOCIATIONS

SUGGESTION.

DEPUTATION TO CITY COUNCIL.

The vexed question of the site for tho proposed Town Hall was the subject of a deputation from the Christchurch CitiEons' Association which waited on the City Council last night. Tho deputation consisted of Messrs J. A. Frostick, A. Kayo, Cyrus Williams. J. J. Dougall, F. E. Jones, a>. Croz.er, .1. Storey, G. M. Butterworth. li. !>• McFarlan., W. Broadway, and W. Li. tiulli.-or.

Mr Frostick said that they must all recognise that if the city was to become attractive it must have a Town Hall. There appeared to be no difference of opinion as to the necessity tor a Town Hall. The Association considered that the cite chosen by the Council, with certain modifications, was by far the best. There was no site near the city which had such a commanding aspect. A building could be built over tho river, which would give an aspect that could not be bettered in the city. Authorities agreed that there should tw no steps to the entrance to town halls: this could be effected at the site mentioned. Another advantage was that tho hall could be viewed from dillerent points. A question had been raised as to the foundations beuig likely to givo trouble, and the Association, being composed of laymen, did not tako any responsibility'in that respect. Architects were of opinion that no difficulty would be experienced. Mr Cyrus Williams and Mr S. Hurst Seager, quite independently one of the other, nad thought out the scheme which the Association submitted. •

Mr Cyrus Williams said that he was present* to vouch lor in person the scheme as outlined by Mr Frostick. He understood that the site chosen by the Council was that jon which the band rotunda stood. His opinion was that a better effect would be obtained by the building back over tho rive mo need be no fear of difficulty in -xion with building ovor the rivet. Ho showed a plan, prepared by Mr S. Hurst iSeager. whv-h combined Mr Stager's and i'us own views. The suggestion was that the rotunda should fie shifted to the site at present occupied by the Queen's citatue. the ctatuo to be re-erected on a portion of the* rotunda triangle. The idea was to pass the river right through tho foundations of the | building. By placing tho building partly over the river and on tho high •terrace on the northern bank it would give the building tho necessary dignity of anpearance that would bo absent if the building were built on the rotunda site. Replying to liams said that the front of<JmuEJ_M'ii Hall building would be altatWW »""* with tho rotunda. It was difficult to five an estimate of the cost of the uilding suggested; possibly it would j not be 30 per cent, of the cost of the ! land that might require to bo pur- ! chased. His personal opinion was that j tho city could not build a suitable hall \on any site for £80,000. The expenditure for a hall that would bo a credit to the city would range from £120,000 to £140,000. The area of the site as outlined on the plan was 25 per cent. larger than the area of the Dunedin Town Hall. Parts of "tho proposed building extended over tho river 40 or 50 feet; other parts would extend only a small way. At each end of the building there" would bo about 30 feat separating it from the bridges. Mr Frostick said , that Mr ; Hurst Seager had presented the plan toI the Association, and on behalf of the Association, he asked the Council to accept it. In a letter, Mr Hurst Seager dealt with some objections raised to the sit*, and Mr Frostick read extracts from the letter. Mr Hurat Seager wrote that, as regards tho contention that tho city was being robbed of. an open space, there wus j. large open space in the vicinity, and the erection of tho Town Hall would decrease that area very little. As to th© objection that tho building would be too low and too cramped, he stated that the raising of tho front to the elevatfon of the terrace on the north side would givo tho Town Hall a dominant posi- , tion in regard to tho surrounnding. buildings. Ample provision would be « made for traffic and the convenience of.' the public. Cr. Hayward asked if tho Caimejl could take it from the Association that tho city should spend £120,000 on. a Town Hall. Mr Frostick said that th«*ro was a large and representative attendance at the mooting of the executive of ihe Association, and he had no doubt that they voiced the opinion of tho Asso* ciation, and the feeling was that if a Town Hall was to be built it should be one worthy of tho city, and provide, not only for present-day requirements, but for roat.y years to come. As a citusen, lie ursjed tho Council if it wens going to build, to da it well. (Hear, hear.) The Mayor pointed out that the conditions laid down by the committee were elastic enough to permit of the adoption of the Association's suggestion. The deputation withdrew. Cr. Cooper moved:—"That the mntter be referred to the Town Hall Committco," The Mayor said that the question of additional cost should be very carefully considered, Cr. McCullough, • (chairman of the committee) asked if other bodies brought forward suggestions would they be referred to the committee. If so, he would rather bo off tho committee, which was either competent or incompetent. Cr. Sorensen said that suggestions should be limited to tho site chosen by the Council. Cr. Scott said that the Council «rw greatly indebted to the Association for its suggestion. Cr. Williams said that the sits should not be spoiled for Vant of a beautiful building. Cr. Aclaitd endorsed Cr. Scott's remarks, and said that the Town Hall question gave promise of being a real live one. Cr. McCombs suggested that tho portion of Oxford terrace passing Victoria square should be .Lesed.

The motion was. agreed to.