LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160711, 26 July 1920, Page 5

LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

ERECTION OF BUILDING DEFERRED. $ Hie Borough Council on Saturday night decided to defer the early erection of the Alexander Library and Museum, on account of shortage of labour and material and for financial reasons. The motion to this effect was moved by Or. Sigley. In moving his motion, the speaker pointed out that there was a shortage of houses in the Dominion, and he did not think the Government would allow tire proposed work to go on until the demand for houses was satisfied. Then, also, he did not think the financial position was such as to warrant the building of the library. Personally, he would like very much to see an up-to-date library here—it had always been his hobby; but he considered it was not opportune at present. Cr. Aitken seconded the motion. Cr. Luxford suggested allowing the bequest to accumulate till the sum estimated to be necessary had accumulated. Cr. Burnett considered that the ratepayers should decide the matter. Ha did not see that there was any advantage in delaying the proposed building. Ho said that in view of the magnificent bequest that had been made, the Council should not let a paltry sum of A 15,000 stand in its way. It was not loan money he was up against, but the annual expenditure, wnich he considered should be kept within reasonable limits. Cr. Richardson agreed with Cr. Burnett. He considered that the Council had no right to withhold the spending of the bequest, which was made for a specific purpose. Cr. Doualdson considered that if a special appeal had been made to the residents of the town it would not have been in vain and the amount required would have been raised. He deprecated chopping and changing about from one scheme to another. Ci'. Liffiton supported the motion on financial grounds. Money was getting • dear, and possibly such an expenditure would mean an increase in rates. Cr. Sharpe supported the motion on the grounds already expressed, also because he did not think the site was a suitable one. It should bo kept as an assembly ground, ho said. Cr. Thompson supported the motion, traversing and- supporting the arguments expressed by previous speakers. Hu Mayor, in supporting the motion, referred to Cr. Sigley’s good work in improving the present Library, and knew that he regretted having to bring it forward. Personally, he did not think the Council was justified, for financial reasons, in making any proposition at the present time to the ratepayers. Cr. Burnett: Let the ratepayers decide; they have got to find the money. The Mayor said he did not think many of the ratepayers understood the financial position, and some of the Councillors did not. He hoped that before long the Finance Committee would have a satisfactory report to make. The motion was carried on the voices. Cr. Burnett asked for a show of hands, remarking: ‘Let us see who are somersaulting.” Several Councillors objected to tho remark, declaring that they were not somersaulting. Cr. Burnett explained that four months ago the Council decided to go on with the building, but now it turned that proposal down. That, in his opinion, savoured of somersaulting.