PROPOSED COFFEE PALACE.- SITE AGREED TO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6116, 24 June 1881, Page 4

PROPOSED COFFEE PALACE.SITE AGREED TO.

—♦ - An adjourned meeting was held yesterday in the large room of the Insurance Buildings —Mr. Joseph Newman in the chair. The Ciiairman said there were no minutes to read. The resolution and amendment proposed at the last meeting were both withdrawn, so that the proceedings would commence de novo. Mr. AicKiN said he had a resolution to propose which might perhaps come more properly from him than from any other member. He had made inquiries from every person capable of giving advice on such a question, and opinion was almost unanimous that the site opposite the Waitemata Hotel was the best site. He thought the extent of the buildings to be put up might rest with the provisional directors. These who were opposed to the site at first were now of opinion that the site opposite the Waitemata Hotel was the best. It possessed many special advantages. It was lighted from three different streets. It was almost immediately situated on the site of the new railway terminus. It would therefore be available for all passengers by railway to and fro, by steamers, and by settlers visiting Auckland. The area would be ample. On the ground floor there might be a largo coffee-room for the accommodation of working men. The upper floors might be occupied as a restaurant, a hotel, or apartments of various kinds. Special rooms might be provided for ladies visiting the city either from the country districts or from the other colonies or from abroad. When the reclamation works were finished the site would be nearer to the centre of the town. Between Shortland-street and the site proposed there were no less than nine hotels and six restaurants. The necessity of increased accommodation was frequently felt. The capital proposed was to raise £10,000, with a sinking fund of 5 per cent, for 62 years. The provisional directors thought this would be adequate to all requirements. He would say a few words regarding the other sites. As to Hoffmann's that would require £13,000, Masefield's was 40 x 80, and not considered of sufficient extent. The site in Shortland-street belonging to Mr. Williams would cost £6000, and it would cost £6000 more to put up the building. The rental to pay there was calculated at £14 a week. He begged, therefore, to move "That the site of the proposed Coffee Palace be at the bottom of Queen-street, opposite the Waitemata Hotel; that the extent (as to whether there should be one, two, or three allotments) be determined by the Board of Directors." Mr. HemoS said it would perhaps come better from him to second the resolution, as he had originally been opposed to this site. He believed there would be a necessity for more than one such building as Auckland increased. The time would come when such a building would be an excellent thing for the upper end of the town. Meanwhile he would vote for this one, lest there should be any chance of the proposal falling through. Mr. J. Abbot supported the resolution in an eloquent speech. The resolution was put from the chair, and declared carried unanimously.

Mr. John Lamb moved, seconded by Mr. F. Lakkixs, " That the company be formed; that a Board of Directors, be elected, with power to take the necessary steps to carry out the undertaking."

Carried unanimously. Mr. G. P. Pierce moved, and Mr. T. Morrix seconded, "That the qualification of a director shall be the ownership of fifty shares taken in his own name, and that the number of the directors shall be seven." Carried unanimously. Mr. T. Bcddle moved "That the following be tlie directors : —The Rev. S. VV. Baker (who was the first person to make the suggestion and obtain information of various kinds showing its feasibility), Messrs. Aickin, Chambers, Hemus, J. Lamb, T. Morrin, and J. Newman. Mr. T. Macffarlane seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Secretary, in answer to questions, said that between 4000 and 5000 shares had been applied for. It was nearer 5000 than 4000. The shares were being applied for at tlie rate of about 100 a-day.