MANSION HOUSE DEFECTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 October 1930, Page 9

MANSION HOUSE DEFECTS

LORD MAYOR'S DISCLOSURE. That the Mansion House in London has carpets with holes in them, and curtains some of which are in rags, was revealed by the Lord Mayor during a. discussion by the City Corporation lately, on the proposed reconstruction of the interior of his official residence.

Another speaker said that he had seen a Lord Mayor sitting by his fireside with a rug over his knzes to protect him from the draught. After protests by some members of the Corporation on ihe score of economy, the scheme of renovation, costing approximately £50.0(10. was sanctioned with virtual unanimity. The reconditioning operations would be commenced immediately the present Lord Mayor vacates office on November 8 next, and are expected to take nine months or a year.

Major H. E. Mathews, the Chairman of the General. Purposes Committee, said that the incoming Lord Mayor had agreed to vacate Mansion Home during the execution of the work, and it was of the utmost importance that, the opportunity should be taken to carry out the scheme. Mr Walter Spy.er thought that in these times, when the country was in such a bad financial condition, the Corporation should not. spend £5(1,00(1 on work which was not urgently necessary.

Mr H. S. Syrett moved that the report be referred back for further consideration. He asked whether the Corporation was justified in spending such a. large sum in endeavouring to bring the building up to date, when in years to come, in consequence of the inestimable value of Ihe site, the building might be pulled down and a new Mansion House erected elsewhere.

Mr C. S. Giddins, in seconding the motion, said it was unfortunate that a, committee of the Court of Aidermen who had considered the mutter in secret had not informed their brethren of the result of their deliberations. Three distinguished Lord Mayors had expressed to him personally when ho was (.hairman of the committee their satisfaction and delight with the house, and) so had a Lady Mayoress. Mr Northcott said that many things at the Mansion Housj were quite a disgrace. The Lord Mayor: I am sorry to hear a. member say that. He should not say that unless he has had know; ledge of the place. Mr Northcott: More than one Lady Mayoress has said that things are very inconvenient there. The Lord Mayor stated that one of the most important requirements was an enlargement of the strong-room in which the Mansion House plate was kept. The building was a very comfortable one to live in, but wanted a considerable amount spent on its upkeep.

Mr Mathews said that an undertaking had been given that the incoming Lord Mayor would be adequately housed.