PROPOSED TOWN HALL

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22110, 4 June 1937, Page 7

PROPOSED TOWN HALL

TO THB EDITOR 0» THE PRESS. Sir, —I congratulate Mr Hiram Hunter on his fertility of invention and suggestion. I also congratulate him on his imperturbable amiability in a cold, unappreciative world. His latest proposal is to build a town hall at a cost of something like £60,000 — I imagine it weuld be much more. Now being a canny cautious Scot with an inherited respect for looking after the bawbees, I am naturally critical of such an expenditure for an unnecessary civic ornament. We have the prospect of a new hospital to cost £300,000. That is necessary—but I cavil at the proposal to add £60,000 to that liability in order to flatter our civic pride and inflate us with the feeling that "we are the people." We are getting along nicely without a Town Hall. Not a soul—except Mr Hunter—complains of its absence. Why then dream of indulging in such spectacular extravagance to please our vanity? But if Mr Hunter will have his town hall, I offer him an alternative suggestion. Why not convert our present Civic Theatre into a town hall? It is central, it adjoins our fine Municipal Chambers and offices, its present use as a cinema theatre is hampered and handicapped by the fact that any moment its usual programme may be broken and interrupted for other than cinema- productions. And best of all, it is the city's property. I commend the idea to Mr Hunter. I am beginning to fear that Mr Hunter is one of those who cherish the weird idea that money means nothing. It is a chimera, a phantasy, and the motto for progressive men and politicians should be—"Damn the expense."—Yours, etc., CANNY SCOT. June 3, 1937.