The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1937. CIVIC BUILDING.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1937, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1937. CIVIC BUILDING.

The principal local bodies have commenced a wise move in coining together with the object of considering joint action in regard to a civic building. In both cases, the local bodies consider it is time to rebuild in any case, and there appears wisdom in the idea of being associated in central office accommodation for local body work. The bodies are an important factor in town and district welfare, and there must be many occasions when it would he to advantage for useful co-operation in regard to district affairs. Close co-operation to that end would lie all for the public betterment. Those are times when amalgamation proposals fill the air, and the present move may be some step towards meeting the Government wishes in regard to unity. There is. however, the resolve to adhere to a separate organisation for municipal aflairs so that a major fusion can hardly he expected at this junelure. 1 lie present proposal is in respect to a single building for office accommodation. The juxtaposition of the two offices will be

more convenient for those who require to do business at both ofiiees, and many do. Two points of interest in regard to the matter, are the situation of the new building, and its dimensions or capacity as a civic edifice. The unity of action calls for as central a situation as possible and for a building of useful service for all public occasions connected with local body activities. The Town Hall, ancient as it is, has been a most useful building over the years. It has served many public purposes, and has bean an asset of great value from the civic point of view. The facilities for ft meeting hall of fair dimensions appear to he a necessity in a centre of loCal importance. Many important gatherings and conferences are held

from time to time, and it appears essential for the civic life of the community that commodious quarters should be provided for that purpose. That feature would be in addition to convenient office quarters, which not have been lacking for some time in regard to municipal business. No doubt when joint committee meets, interior details will be discussed, but another important issue will be the situation. With the town expanding, a more central situation than obtains, or has been suggested, would appear to be a necessity for general convenience. Vet, the situation should not be remote from the main-business'centre, nor the Government offices and hanking institutions. This is a point wortri conning over and examining possible sites within a radius of the main centre. There are other points which will require to be discussed as to type of building, and the material. In those aspects costs are involved, but as the building will be intended to serve the communities over long life, the bodies concerned should not restrict thi> outlay too strictly. The prospects of the town and district warrant a building creditable for its work in every way, and the appearance of the proposed edifice should certainly bo kept in mind, in discussing the details for action.