NEW TOWN HALL

Evening Star, Issue 20118, 7 March 1929, Page 5

NEW TOWN HALL

FURTHER BELAY EXPECTED READY IN TWELVE MONTHS The new Town Hall will not he ready for occupation for another year. An announcement to that effect was made by the chairman of the Hall Committee (Or J. J. Clark) at last night’s meeting of the City Council. Cr Clark moved— That authority bo granted to arrange for the installation of a Duplex fire alarm system in the new Town Hall Building and also in the existing building at a cost of £1,584 18s, which will be subject to slight variation dependent on the actual number of points installed and the amount of interference with, builders’ work during the installation. It is further recommended that the cost be charged against the insurance fund. That an extra in the sum of £950 be allowed the contractors for the new Town Hall Building to cover necessary additional outlay over and above the sum allowed by the architects in the contract specification in respect of the electric installation and fittings in the new Town Hall Building. The extra is due to the fact that the original allowance made by the architects has v proved to be insufficient. The item will not, however, cause over-expenditure of the Town Hall building fund, as there is a margin sufficient to meet the extra outlay. As to the fire alarm, ho said, councillors were seized with the great risk in So large and valuable a building.

Cr R. S. Black: Evidently the architect was not seized with the risk when he made the plans. “Why?” asked Cr Clark. Cr Black: Ho did not provide for a fire alarm system. Cr Clark said the architect had recommended the scheme, which had received the approval of the fire superintendent. The sum of £1,200 had been allowea by the' architect for electric lighting, said Cr Clark, but on investigation ho found the amount inadequate. The opinion of experts had been obtained. The question of seating had not yet been placed , before the council, but there would be sufficient funds to pay for it. Cr W. Begg: When do you expect that the Town Hall will be finished? “ That question is impossible to answer,” replied Cr Clark, ‘ but 1 should imagine by twelve months ficm now.” Cr F. W. Mitchell; Eighteen months. Cr Begg: Are you within the time? Cr Clark; No. They ,;annot start to erect the organ until the building is finished, as the building must be l opt clear of dust.