GRAND HOTEL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2646, 15 May 1923, Page 4

GRAND HOTEL.

POR MORICIPSL OFFICES. OWNERS DESIRE EXCHANGE COUNCIL CONSIDERS OFFER. 9 ARCHITECT TO FURNISH REPORT " From Messrs. Trevor Bros, agreeing fo accept various borough properties in exchange for qertaiu property in the Square." When the above item was reached ion the order paper of the Borough \ Council last night, it was decided, although Cr. Hodgens strongly opposed, to take the matter in committee and after fully deliberating on the question, it was moved in open council that:—

" With a view to obtaining further data to enable the Conncil to consider fully the offer submitted by Messrs. Trevor Bros., Mr. Mitchell, arejhitcct, of Wellington, be employed to report upon the value of the building and the possibility and cost of alteration to suit the Council's requirements."

However, before the motion was formally put to the council, Cr. Plodgens said that as far as the Grand Hotel was concerned, he was not going to say whether he considered that it. could be built for the sum mentioned or not. Probably the pride was quite reasonable. But he was certainly of the opinion that there should not be an expenditure, of approximately £31,000 merely for the purpose of concentrating the borough offices. He considered the proposal unfair. Were they not going to profit by the experience of their predecessors, who had advocated an exchange of properties, the principle of which the ratepayers, when the matter had gone before them, had turned emphatically down ? If the pulse of the public had been felt, they .should surely be guided by its beat. It had been stated in commutes that the value of the present gas offices was £13,000. Was there congestion at the gas offices ? he asked. Cr. Hodgens said he desired it to be understood, that lie was not a convert to centralisation. The site in Church. Street had dost £5950 and by a vote of the people taken some time ago, it had been decided to purchase this for municipal offices. He did not favour the council selling its assets

everywhere. "If there are any councillors -who will lend me £4OOO, I will buy the rtouncil offices and will make money out of the dea?, although I am not a financier," said Cr. Hodgens. Another councillor had stated in committee that the borough properties were not earning anything, and they -could derive rates from these properties if they were in private possession. But to speak frankly, that argument, he contended, was " rotten." This was the point: Was concentration worth £31,000 ? In order to relieve congestion, the expenditure of £500.0 might, in the circumstances, be justified, but above that he considered they were treading on forbidden ground. The motion was then put and carried.