NEW COUNTY OFFICES.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1416, 16 October 1923, Page 4

NEW COUNTY OFFICES.

FORMAL OPENING CEREMONY. STAFF ENTERTAINS COUNCILLORS AND FRIENDS. Quite a happy little impromptu ceremony took place at the WaJpa County Council's new offices in B» Street, Te Awamutu, yesterday q| ternoon, when the county chairman and several councillors, the Mayor and several prominent townsmen, and a number of their lady friends, assembled at the instance of the county clerical and engineering staffs to a delightfully served afternoon tea to mark the opening of the new offices. The main office table was laden with tasty comestibles, and the guests were waited on by the staff. The county chairman, Cr D. S. Reid, referred to the auspicious occasion, saying that for many years the staff had been located in other offices that did not provide the accommodation necessary for the large and growing business, so the Council decided to erect up-to-date and commodious offices of its own. A very fine site had been secured, and a building that would answer all requirements for many years to come was erected thereon by Messrs Mclnnes and Ross, the well known contractors. He was satisfied that the offices were the equal of any of the kind in any of the country districts. The building had been well and faithfully erected and would, he felt sure, reflect distinct credit upon the builders and all concerned. The ratepayers would have nothing to complain about on the score of expense, for he was convinced the outlay was well spent. Referring to the earlier administration of county affaire, Cr Reid said that in the early times the Council had a clerk engaged at £BO per annum, and tried hard to get an engineer at about £250, but was unsuccessful. However, a very competent gentleman in the late Mr W. H. Mandeno undertook the duties of supervisor, and he gave universal satisfaction in that capacity over a very long period. The speaker regretted that that estimable gentleman had not lived to see the Council staff housed in such a splendid building. The Council, however, had a very fine set of officers who would carry on the work that the late Mr Mandeno had made so peculiarly his own during the last twenty or thirty years of his life. They would be able to give just as loyal, service as in the past and probably more efficiently, through being located in the commodious offices. He had much pleasure in congratulating the staff and their ladyfolk upon the fine spread of appetising dainties that they had provided to fittingly mark the occasion, and then he formally declared the offices open.

His Worship the Mayor of Te Awamutu (Mr L. G. Armstrong) congratulated the Council and its ratepayers upon having such a substantial and ornate building, and upon their foresight in providing for the needs of the staff for years to come, for he felt sure the business would grow. He felt that Te Awamutu was destined to be the official, as it is virtually, headquarters of the county. The new premises would for many years serve the purpose for which they were erected. The Council had made a very wise choice "in selecting the site, for some day (in the not far distant future, he hoped) the Town Hall would be erected on the opposite section, and that structure would probably be flanked with municipal swimming baths and a fire brigade station. The county section had been, obtained at a remarkably reasonable price, and that fact should be noted by county ratepayers with extreme satisfaction. On behalf of the Borough Council and the townspeople he heartily congratulated the County and its Council, while he also paid a tribute to the happy relationship that had existed between the county and borough staffs over a long period of years during which they had been located in the one building. He hoped that this happy state would always prevail, for it would be advantageous to both sets of ratepayers. (Applause.) Cr J. S. Fisher said that though he was only a comparatively young member of the Waipa County Council he felt that he must congratulate Te Awamutu on having another substantial public building erected in the borough. Speaking in a happy strain Cr Fisher proceeded to refer to the new building's proximity to the bank, the club and the park, adding that those considerations apparently had not been lost sight of by the staff when the site was chosen. He also referred to the happy associations of the borough and county staffs, and also the pleasant connection between the County Council and its administration staff—the latter were always courteous and civil. (Laughter).

Mr T. Mclnnis. on behalf of his partner and himself, said that they appreciated the kindly remarks of speakers anent the builders. He was happy to be able to say that the work had been done without hitches or hindrances—in fact the contractors had got along splendidly with the county staff. He hoped the new building would last for very many years to come. Speaking as a builder with Home and colonial experience he said builders in this Dominion had to contend with peculiar one of the most important of was provision against vibrations. In quite a number of places there was such vibration that all substantial buildings were affected by it, and conscientious builders were hard put to it at times to provide adequately against it. However, he trusted that the precautionary measures adopted in regard to the new county premises would be effective for many years. Mr S. C. Macky, on behalf of Mrs Mandeno, acknowledged the eulogistic references made to the services of her late husband, and said that she much appreciated those remarks, which she felt were sincere. Continuing, Cr Macky said that he also was gratified to find that the new offices were so replete with all conveniences for the efficient carrying on of county business. Warm thanks by acclamation, were f then accorded the staff and the ladies for the very dainty refreshments provided and for the opportunity for viewing the new premises.