THE TOWN HALL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 129, 7 July 1914, Page 2

THE TOWN HALL.

A MOVE FORWARD. SITE FIXED. A long-deferred report on the Town Hall question was presented to the City Council last evening. It definitely fixed the site in Victoria Square. The Town Hall Committee reported that it had reconsidered the question of situation which was referred to it by the council, and recommended the council to adhere to its decision to erect the hall on the reserve set apart for that purpose, the building- to be placed as near the south bank of the river as practicable, access from the north bank to the main entrance to the large hall to be by way of a suitable bridge. In arriving at this decision, the committee took into consideration the proposal placed before the council by a deputation from the Citizens' Association, but it could not recommend the hall being erected across the river.

The report also recommended the appointment of Mr T. Mflhoney as assessor. 1

Cr M'Cullough moved the adoption of the report. The negotiations for the Provincial Council site had delayed the report, but the committee thought that they ought to proceed. Cr Cooper once more entered his protest against the use of the site selected. He thought that the site on the north side of the river was the proper one. What would be the cost of the expert who would be appointed? Cr Taylor: Four shillings per cent.

Cr Cooper said that the ratepayers would never consent to a loan of £IOO,OOO for the' Town Hall on the site proposed.* Cr Taylor said that the proposal should be carried. If the city could not rise and do something big and worthy of the city, it should get new councillors. It was too late, to talk about the north bank of the river for a site. That would cost £20,000 for land before they could put anything into the building. He hoped that by this time the question of building on the Provincial Council site was as dead as Julius Caesar.

Cr Scott: I thought that the question of site was settled, long. agp. Councillors: Hear, hear. Cr Hayward said that it ; was time Christchurch \' got a .gait on,' ' and that the council should be unanimous.* They; had the best site available, free, of . charge, and the council should,: go to : the ratepayers and tell them that they were 1 unanimous at last. "At last! " Cr Hayward repeated, , Cr M 'Cullough also criticised Cr Cooper for suggesting that a site should; be purchased on the north bank of the' river. Immediately the council bought; a site, the rates were lost for all time. I That was a point that they should give; consideration to. :

The Mayor: There will 'be, put before the citizens' this, year.' Councillors; , The Mayojr: I hope that we will yet get the Proyincial Council site |free, but if we don % then morp power, t.0.. yop... , Cr Copper said he ha,(l been assured that the' cost oif the site he proposed would be half paid for by the saying on the eost of the > foundations. ' ' Nonsense! * r, called .sevteral councillors... . ': ' ■ . ■ The report >was then l adopted.