TAKAPUNA'S NEEDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15663, 17 July 1914, Page 9

TAKAPUNA'S NEEDS.

COUNCIL CHAMBER SITE.

FREE GIFT DECLINED.

CENTRAL AREA CHOSEN.

The long-deferred question of selecting a suitable site for the erection of council chambers at Takapuna was settled on Wednesday night, when the Borough Council decided to purchase a site on the Strand Estate, at a cost of £336.

A short time ago Mr. Audus Raynes offered a site for council .chambers free of cost, but, as his offer was not accepted, ho withdrew it.

At the meeting on Wednesday evening the Mayor said that after a tour of inspection the council had agreed that there were practically only two sites at all suitable. Mr. Raynes's site, he said, was too small.

Mr. Paynes then produced plans showing that the site was capable of holding a building of the same size as the Mount Eden Council Chambers, which he thought would be large enough for Takapuna.

Mr. Gaudin asked the position regarding Mr. Raynes's offer. Had he withdrawn it?

Mr. Raynes said ha had withdrawn it, but he had agreed to renew his offer in deference to the wishes of a number of ratepayers.

Mr. Qrimwade; Is your offer made on your own behalf, or on behalf of someone else?

Mr. Raynes: It is a free gift. It does not matter who owns it.

Dr. Fullerton said the council had previously decided to secure a site as near Hall's Corner as possible.

The Mayor said the matter should be settled, as it had dragged on long enough.

Mr. Gaudin: Is it because of its close proximity to the post office that this free site is not regarded with favour? There ia no need to go into the post office site controversy, but my vote depends on the answer.

Tho Mayor replied in the negative, and said it was because the site was too far away from thp centre of business activity.

Mr. Gaudin replied that as a representative of tho ratepayers he did not consider distance. He had to consider whether they would be doing their duty if they declined such an offer. "There seems to be a certain amount of party feeling in this matter," ho remarked. Continuing ho 6aid ho was not speaking for anyone else, he was speaking for himself, and as tho plan shown by Mr. Raynes indicated that his site was largo enough he (Mr. Gaudin) thought the free offer should be accepted-

The Mayor stated that Mr. Adams had also offered a site, but it also was too far away. Mr. Grimwade had also stated that be was prepared to offer a site.

Mr. Grimwade stated that an offer of land at Bayswater had also been made. The Mayor said he was sorry the post office site controversy had been mentioned. There was no party feeling in the matter. Tho council had condemned the post office site as unsuitable and he asked what would be eaid if the council placed its offices in the. same locality. He regretted that Mr. Raynes's offer of a site was made conditionally upon its being used for council offices, as it would have been possible to transform it into a beauty spot. Mr. Collins expressed the opinion that the advantage of having the offices in a central position would compensate the council for the extra cost. Mr. Gaudin moved that Mr. Raynes's offer be accepted. There was no seconder. Mr. Biss suggested voting as to which site should be secured.

On a vote being taken as to whether the Strand site should he purchased, tho proposal was carried practically unanimously, though Messrs. Gaudin and Raynes did not vote.

The town clerk (Mfi» Eyre) was instructed to pay a deposit immediately, the Mayor stating that tho site would bo paid for out of revenue.

The site selected is about three-eichth6 of an acre in extent, and is situated in a most central position. A heartv vote of thanks was passed to Mr, Ramos for what the Mayor described as "a most generous offer." If t,ho offer was made unconditionally he felt sure, the council would accept the site.