TOWN HALL AND CIVIC CENTRE

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27626, 5 April 1955, Page 10

TOWN HALL AND CIVIC CENTRE

Latimer Square Site Abandoned

NO REFERENDUM TO BE HELD The use of Latimer square as a site tor a town hall and civic centre would require special legislation, and such a proposal should be abandoned, the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.), as ehairman of a special sub-commit-ee. recommended to the City Council last evening. The sub-committee had given preliminary consideration to a number of proposed sites for a town hall, he said. The various sites had been examined as to area, Government valuation, existing buildings, and general suitability tor ths purpose of a .town hall, bearing in mind the necessity for the siting of the town hall and administrative buildings and other auxiliary buildings, but excluding the concert hall, upon the one site. “Three sites are under consideration, namely, the Limes site, the library site (embracing the whole of the block bounded by Cambridge terrace, Worcester street, Montreal street, and Hereford street, with the exception of the St Elmo Courts property) and the present administrative block bounded by Manchester street. Gloucester street Latimer square, and Worcester street," the Mayor said. “The committee recommends that a Bite should be secured with the utmost dispatch, and that In the meantime an approach be made to the Institute of Architects, with a view to consultations with the City Engineer on the suitability of the three sites mentioned in the report.” The committee recommended against to hold a referendum on The council adopted all the recommendations.