ARCHITECT FOR BOROUGH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19758, 27 March 1934, Page 6

ARCHITECT FOR BOROUGH

TWO APPLICATIONS RECEIVED MR V. H. PANTON APPOINTED Two applications only were received by the Timaru Borough Council last night for the position of Borough architect, and after discussing the matter, the Council appointed Mr V. H. Panton to the position. After the applications had been read. Cr. P. B. Foote moved: “That in view of the fact that so few applications have been received for the position of Borough architect, the appointment be held over for six months. The motion was seconded by Cr. G. Benstead. Cr. Foote said that he felt they should at least have expected more of the architects of the town to apply for the position. He had not been in favour of making the apointment, and he was now r less in favour of deciding the matter seeing that they had received only two applications. There was nothing personal in the matter, but m view of the small number of applications, it would be better to let more water flow under the bridge, and then have another go. The position in six months’ time might be no better, and no worse, but to judge between two architects, when there were several others in the town was not right. It would be said that they had had the same opportunity as the applicants, but there must be some feeling among the applicants about the matter, and it would be better to let that feeling disappear. if it existed, as he believed It did. He did not think the applications represented the best talent available in the towm.

The Mayor: It is not. It is very disappointing. “Screw Loose Somewhere.” Cr. Benstead said he thought that, in the circumstances, it w’ould be unwise to make an appointment. It was fairly evident that there was a screw loose somewhere. In his opinion it would be a much wiser thing for the Council to appoint a building inspector, who would see to it that the public got a quid pro quo for the money spent. The Mayor: We have a building inspector now. Cr. Benstead: Who? The Mayor: Mr Fox. Cr. Benstead: If Mr Fox can devote time out of his multitudinous duties to seeing that everything is 0.K., then he is a pretty clever chap. Cr. H. J. Mathers: It is the architect’s job. Cr. Benstead: Why do other municipal bodies have a building inspector? I could a tale unfold, but ,not here. Cr. W. H. Hall said that if they only had one applicant, and they considered him capable then they should appoint him. “Bad Taste.” Cr. P. C. Vinnell said that it was not the fault of the Council that they had received only two applications. If by accident or design the architects had decided to boycott the job, then they would have to take the consequences. Earlier in the evening they had accepted tenders for building, but the tenderers did not represent all the builders in the town. The Council did not hold the matter over until all the small builders, some of whom were on the dole, had been approached. Cr. Benstead had twitted Cr. Hawkey for sitting on the fence, but Cr. Hawkey had not taken half an hour to explain his position as Cr. Benstead had done. The resolution was merely an effort to defeat the vote of the Council when they had decided on the principle of a borough architect. It showed very bad taste to try to hamper the decision of the Council by methods such as shown that night. The Mayor said that he would accept the motion. He could have thrown it out, but the mover and seconder only wanted to delay the matter. Cr. Vinnell: I very much doubt if it is in order. Cr. Hall moved and Cr. Mathers seconded as an amendment that Mr V. H. Panton be appointed borough architect. The amendment was carried by five votes to four, the voting being: For: The Mayor and Crs. Hall, Mathers. Hawkey and Vinnell.

Again: Crs: Benstead, Hart, Tweedy and Foote.