THE TOWN HALL LOAN PROPOSAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18899, 27 June 1923, Page 2

THE TOWN HALL LOAN PROPOSAL.

TO THU EDITOR. Sib, —The more one sees of public halls in the north the more is one impressed with the poverty of Dunedin in this respect. I hope the ratepayers will show on the 27th that they appreciate the need of a Town Hall. —I am, etc., Geo. M. Thomson. Sib, —I fear that, in spite of your advocacy of the proposed loan for the Town Hall and of his Worship's statement in regard to finance, ratepayers cannot bo expected to look with favour upon this project at the present moment. There is no doubt that a Town Hall is a very desirable tiling, and there is no need to labour this point. T'he question before the public is whether the present time is opportune. The city has before it the immediate necessity for providing flood protection, for improving certain streets, and for special expenditure in connection with the proposed Exhibition. In addition to that, a now engineer will be appointed very shortly, and there is no doubt that whatever proposals he may have to bring forward will mean money. In addition to the financial aspect of the question, there is also a fact which should be obvious to anyone, and that is the question of labour. If we are going to build for an Exhibition, and this moans not ordy the Exhibition buildings but the extra housing accommodation required, then there are certainly not enough tradesmen in this part of New Zealand to undertake this work. In fact, it is well known that we have barely enough hands to provide for the ordinary building development of this town. There are, therefore, very strong reasons, both financial and practical, against the carrying out of the proposed project in the immediate future. In spite of all the fine phrases of the Mayor,* the Town Clerk, and the various supporters of this scheme, it is certain that in the final analysis the charge for interest and sinking fund, less whatever small amount can be derived from rentals, muss be borne by the ratepayer. I respectfully submit that'rates in this city are quite high enough already without adding anything thereto for a pure luxury. I am concerned in two properties in this town, and, in the last six years, in the one ease rates have advanced from £127 to £l7O, and in other ease from, about £59 to £79. These rate charges include city, drainage, and hospital rates, but it is not material to the ratepayer under which authority rates are levied. The fact remains that, in spite of all the boasted success of city management in this town, there has been a swingeing advance in rates during the last six years. Hoping that ratepayers will deal with the proposal for a Town Hall loan as it requires to be dealt with. —I am. etc.. Ratepayer. Dunedin, Juno 22.

Sir, —For over 30 years the Town Hall front has stood waiting. For over 30 years the space reserved for the ha.ll has been unoccupied. For all these years Dunedin has been waiting and needing a city hall. Yet some people argue in your columns that we should still wait.

One correspondent says; “Don’t skirt too many buildings or there may be a slump.” Another says if the Town Hall doesn't earn sufficient rent the rates will be increased by one penny halfpenny in the pound. I hope the citizens will stand for progress and reject tho counsel of pessimists. If the Town Hall does not pay it will be our own fault, and the rate suggested, say, ou a £6O yearly rental, comes to 7s sd. Yet we have to pay 8s 6d to hear an “Ojrpoffski” in an unsuitable hall. For threepence in the plate we could hear our own Town Hall organ every week, and every “Anzac,” every “Passchendaele” day, wc could hear appropriate music amid appropriate surroundings. The land has not to be bought, the bulk of the cost of erection will be paid to the working man of our own city, and the shame wc all feel at. the want of a civic: hall can be removed by voting for the movement. If a Paderewski comes we can then accommodate him and encourage our young players to emulate him.—l am, etc., T. De Spong.