THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3264, 22 October 1897, Page 3

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

THE LANTERN OP THE TOWER TO BE REMOVED. The damage suffered by the Free Library in the recent severe earthquake shook was considered at last night’s meeting of the City Council, when the Mayor moved that the lantern of the tower be taken down. He had examined the tower, and had oome to the conclusion and the City Surveyor seemed to agree with him—that nothing had been touched but this lantern (or dome) at the top, and certainly the beauty of the building would not bo interfered with if this lantern were removed. As to the cracks, there were cracks in all buildings visited by earthquakes, and they must take the risk of that. Unless the Council took the building down altogether, that could not be remedial Councillor Smith, who seconded the motion, said that if the building bad been put up without the lower, it would have stood very much bettor. Councillor Fraser wanted to know how the lantern would bo removed. Would thoy ask tbe architect to do it? Tho Mayor replied that anybody could do it. and that it would not be necessary to trouble the architect. - The top of tho tower would form a very nieo promenade for anybody who cared to go up there. ' Councillor Fraser hoped the work would ho done according to some design. He suggested that the top of tho tower should bo formed in the shape of battlements, like a gaol. (Laughter.) Several Councillors i Tes, like a gaol—a nice, homely appearance. Xhe motion was carried, so that the lantern shall be removed at once. Tho Mayor, expressing the hope that the newspapers would bo appeased, added that the tower was absolutely safe.