MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2715, 7 August 1923, Page 5

MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS.

DROID STREET PROPER!! TO BE SOLD. AND ADDITIONS MADE TO PRESENT CHAMBERS. » GOOD BUSINESS PROPOSITION. "That the proposal to erect new Municipal Buildings bo not proceeded with, and that alterations and additions necessary to provide accommodation for all the departments, be carried out to the present Municipal Chambers.

“That the Gas Office, Broad Street, be sold and all moneys received from tho sale be credited to gas account, and a sum sufficient to pay for the alterations, additions, etc., referred to above be provided, out of the proceeds of such sale and applied towards the cost of the work. "That the architect be instructed to alter the plans and bring down a more modified scheme, the cost not to exceed £SOOO, Including turnishings, and the extensions and additions to the rear of the chambers be erected on the area of land owned by the Council, and that Mr R. T. Jaggard be engaged in the capacity of architect, to carry out the necessary work.”

These were the recommendations made to the Borough Council last evening in the report of the works and building committee, on the question of the increased accommodation needed by the Borough staff. Cr. Hodgens said he would like to move an emendment to include the words "by public tender” after the word "sold.” First of all, he took it that the Council would endorse the policy that it was possible to dispose of the ratepayers’ property without .consulting them. If they had ro go to the ballot to purchase property, it seemed only right that they should do so when selling it. He thought the least they could do when selling, was to do so by tender. Cr. Fitzherbert did not agree that the sale should be referred to the ratepayers. The Council was supposed to have a certain amount of business ability. Probably 75 per cent, of the ratepayers were not business men. Nevertheless, he would .support Cr. Hodgens’ amendment. The Mayor supported the recommendation. He thought it was a good busnless propostlon to sell the building, for which they should get easily £13,000. Six per cent, on this sum when Invested would yield £7BO per anuum. The Council would get .rates from the purchaser amounting ,to £97 10/- and -would save £25 11/in insurance—a total of £903. The value of the present Council Chambers, including the cost of the proposed additions, would he £II,OOO. Six per cent, on this would be £660, which, with ,rates at £sl 13/- and insurance, £7 16/2, would bring the total cost to the Council to £719 9/2. Thus they would adequately house the staff and save a good sum into the bargain. Cr. Hodgens’ amendment was carried, a.nd the recommendation was then adopted.