DISCUSSIONS IN THE COUNCIL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7640, 4 February 1903, Page 2

DISCUSSIONS IN THE COUNCIL.

GOING TO MAKE ONE BIG JOB OF IT. MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS TO BE ADDED. The matter came before the Council last eveimg with the readiug of Mr Greenhow's report. The award briefly stated that in view of the Council's requirements he considered the first prize should be awarded to " Seal" and the second to " Fides." Cr HAYDON wanted to know Mr Greenhow's position. Was he to be then- clerk of works ? He considered the whole matter should now rest with the architect, Cy Haydon objected to Mr Greenhow's award. The Council asked for plans for a £9000 building and the second prize gave a £9600 building. Cr ARMSTRONG asked what guarantee had they that any of the plans could be executed for the sum stated. Cr COOKE quite agreed with Cr Haydon. In his opinion Mr Greenhow should be asked to make a fresh award. Cr EDWARDS pointed out that it was quite clear the competitor did not expect the prize, as the architect said straight out that the plans exceeded the reqir'ved sum. Cr FRANCE suggested that Mr Greenhow should be asked to give an estimate of the cost of building each of the designs. Some of the build'ngs could not be erected within £3000 of the estimated cost. On the motion of Cr Hay don it was decided that the second prize should not be awarded, as the estimated cost was above the specified amount. The report, amended as above, was carried unanimously. Cr EDWARDS congratulated the Council on the long-lboked-for having come at last to a finality. Cr HAYDON moved to the effect, " That steps be taken at once to dispose of the Public Library and that, if sold, tenders be called for the whele buildings as shown in the design approved of." There were many reasons why this should be done. It would only look ] half-finished if the theatre portion was } built without the municipal building portion. As lie had said before, it would be a white elephant without municipal buildings attached. Ho wanted the library sold at once and tenders called for building tho campleto plan they had selected. Cr FRANCE seconded the motion. He also considered they should erect the complete building. There was no telling how long it would stand in a half-finished state. It was necessary that they should erect a bmlding which would be a credit to the town. Cr WEBB-JOHN SON singly qp.posod the resolution, it was a great mistake, he thought, to combine a theatre, library and Council Chambers. How could they deliberate on the business of the borough while the fiddles were being played alongside ? It was a thoroughly bad combination. He was dead against it. Then, the site was fisoellenfc perhaps for a library qr Borough pliamiitirs, \>ui if the theatre was built thero the site was spoiled for other purposes'. The combination would never be successful. It would be an abortion. Cr GUY considered that they would only be able to make £1000 out of the library. They bo malting a groat blunder to sell it, #Cr COPELAND thought it was not right to caU tenders before the architect was consulted and before certain glaring blunders were corrected, He did not believe in selling the present Rbrarv. Cr EDWARDS opposed the resolution. It was in the wrong direction. The town was growing so rapidly that such a combination was not desirable. He whs against the pix>posal for another reason, and that was that the plans did not provide for adequate provision for either library or Council Chambers. Nqno of thp designs, iv fact, gave thorn the' same accammo'datipn they had ftt present The sum allowed the competitors did not give them an opportunity of providing the necessary accommodation. Cr FRANCE considered that by letting the library they would provide a sinking fund for the new buicliug. Cr HAYDON, in reply, appealed strongly for the combined building, and on being put his resolution was carried by a bare majority. The voting was—For : Crs Haydon,' Ravcnhill, Armstrong, Jack, Cook, and France, Against; Qrs Qooclgcr, Guy,

Copeland, Webb-Johnston and Edwards, ihe " Seal" design is the work of Messrs Crichton and McKay, and 'Fides " that of Mr T. Turnbull,'both of Wellington.