THE NEW TOWN HALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LII, Issue 5807, 6 October 1879, Page 3

THE NEW TOWN HALL.

TO THE EDITOB OP THE LYTTELTON TIMES. Sib, —I find lam not singular in believing that the question of the new Town Hall is at present in a most unsatisfactory condition, and I think the Council will hare very great difficulty in persuading the ratepayers, that they are justified in raising, or rather trying to raise from thirty to forty thousand pounds for the purpose of carrying out such plans os those they have, chosen. In the first place, I should like to point out to the burgesses of Christchurch that there is a matter of far greater importance to be considered than the mere question of erecting a building for show purposes, which is what a Town nail in fact is, and nothing more. A few night’s ago one of the Councillors pointed ont that a very necessary work was required, which would not call for very great expenditure,' when the Mayor and other Councillors said that no doubt the work was urgent, bat that, in fact, there were no funds to spare. I will point out another work that is not only urgent in itself, but which, if not attended to, will he the cause of many deaths during the next summer. I allude to the frightfully horrible stench arising from those gutters through which no water runs. In one place in Hereford street the stench arising every night, and especially on hot nights, is so dreadful' that it is quite impossible to go by without covering one’s month and nose. The remedy is very simple, but the Council cannot afford the means. Now, in the teeth of this state of things, what is it that we are asked to do? 1 will endeavour to show. We are asked to build a show hall, where a small class of the community can enjoy balls and other entertainments, given at the cost and ■ expense of all ratepayers, those who do not participate in these entertainments and those who do. The useful parts of such a building could be easily constructed for three thousand pounds. We are asked to raise an indefinite sum of from thirty to forty thousand pounds for the purpose of erecting thisjhow place. That is to say, the ratepayers at present cannot afford to have very necessary works done, even to save their lives, yet they are to be asked to increase the rates by some £2500 per annum. What for ? Really it is very difficult to say, unless it is to gratify the ambition and vanity of a few. Surely we can dispense with a show Town Hall for some years to come, and instead of its being to onr credit to expend a large sum of money, in our present state of impecuniosity, upon a building which twenty years hence will be looked upon as only fit to pull down again, it would be much more to our credit to keep our town clean. I trust, Sir, that the citizens will not allow themselves to he drawn into this stupid expenditure, and that they will have the sense to postpone the possession of such a luxury as a Town Hall until we can better afford to erect a better show place.— I am, &o. RATEPAYER.