DEVONPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10416, 14 April 1897, Page 6

DEVONPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

— ♦ A special meeting oi the Devonport Borough Council was held last night, the original purpose being to consider and adopt s. scheme for converting the Admiralty shed into a public gymnasium. In the absence of the Mayor, Mr. 0. Mays wag voted to the chair. There were present: Messrs. Cameron, Harvey, Brookes, Button, and Entrican. The chairman having expressed his regret that the Mayor (Mr. J. C. Macky) was not yet well enough to attend, proceeded to explain the purpose of the meeting. He said that owing to the destruction of the building no scheme could now be considered but it was necessary that some enquiry should be held as to the origin of the fire The question of offering a reward for information concerning the origin of the fire was then considered, and it was resolved, on' the motion of , Mr. Cameron, seconded > by Mr. Brookes. "That, the question of offer ing a reward be deferred for the present. On the motion of the Chairman it was resolved, " That the Foreman of Works and 1 Mr. G. Strode, captain of the Fire Brigade,

prepare and send in a joint report on the origin of the fire. When the question of salvage came up, it was reported that much of the wood was infested with the dangerous white ants. It was therefore resolved, on the motion of Mr. Harvey, " That provided the National Insurance Company abandon all claim to salvage, the wreckage of the building bo immediately burned by the Foreman of Works, Great sympathy was expressed for the athletic bodies of Devonport on account of the loss they had sustained by the destruction of the building. It was then unanimously resolved, on the motion of Mr. Mays," That provided that the athletes of Devonport raiao £100 within the next three months the committee recommend the Council to supplement this amount by the insurance money received. Mr. Harvey then moved, and Mr. Cameron seconded, "That the committee recommend the Council to fix as a situ for the new gymnasium the north-east corner of the Admiralty Recreation Reserve." Carried uuanimously. Mr. Selwyu Maya and Mr. C. C. Dacre were present ou behalf of the athletio bailies, and said they telt sure that from the sympathy shown with the movement, and ou account of its beneficial and public nature, the money required could easily be raised within the time specified, and they took that occasion to appeal to the Devonport public for their help.