TEE FREE LIBRARY AND ART GALLERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7269, 6 March 1885, Page 5

TEE FREE LIBRARY AND ART GALLERY.

TENDER ACCEPTED. At the meeting of the City Council last night tenders were opened for the erection of the Free Library and Art Gallery, in accordance with the plans of Messrs. Grainger and D'Ebro, who were represented at the meeting by Mr. H. G. Wade, to answer any queationa in reference to the tenders. Messrs. A. Moore and R. Johnson, of the South Melbourne Town Council, were also present in the Council Chamber. Before proceeding to the business Mr. Holland drew attention to the difference of time in the advertisements respecting the closing of tenders. In one advertisement it was noon, and in another it was three o'clock. He held that one had been received after twelve o'clock, while the others were in before noon. The Town CrJfcRK explained that, in extending the time for receiving the tenders, the hour of closing had not been altered in one advertisement. The matter was then allowed to drop. The tenders were then opened, as follows : — Cement Oamara Stone Frnnt. Front. James Morris .. 20,955 .. 21.705 Rice and Malcolm .. 19,.i05 .. 20,722 W. Tajlor.. .. 20,9 >2 .. 21,912 W.Cameron .. 21,8'i2 .. 25.U08 J. W.Jimes .. 20.655 .. 21,370 C. Rhodes.. .. 21,058 .. 23,041 J. Heron .. .. 19,559 .. 2'.559 J. W. Jones .. 20.(W0 .. 21,f>65 JJ. Holland .. 20,(530 .. 21,623 There were also tendera received for the supplementary works, as recommended by the special committee, and were as follows : — Rice and Maloolm, £2346; W. Cameron, £2473; Jas. Heron, £2400; J. W. Jones, £2930 ; J. J. Holland, £2SS2. For building complete, with »upplementary additions : — W. Taylor, £23,432; J. W. James, £23,272 ; C. Rhodes, £25 180. After some diecuision, in which Mr. Wade expressed his opinion that Oamaru etono would not be lasting for the facade of the building, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Goldie, seconded by Mr. Lα Roche, "That the buildiug be erected with a cement front," Mr. Garratt proposed, and Mr. Aickin seconded, "That Messrs. Rice and Malcolm's tender, £19,505, be accepted for the erection of the Free Public Library and Art Gallery." — Carried. On the motion of Mr. Holland, it was agreed Lo refer the supplementary estimates for alterations not provided for in the prize plans, back to the special Library Committee for revision. In answer to Mr. Montague, the Mayor said the next lowest tender would be retained until tne signing sf the contract by Messrs. Rice and Malcolm, which would be within three days. Mr. Holland proposed "Thata clerk of works be advertised for, at a salary of £200 per annum." Mr. Dkvore moved as an amendment " That the salary be £300 per annum." Ou the amendment being put it was lost. Mr. Masefxeld moved as a fresh amendment, "That the salary be £250 per annum" and oa being put it was carried.