Victoria Park Town Hall

VICTORIA PARK TOWN HALL.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION

STONE.

(SEE ILLUSTRATIONS.)

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new town hall in Victoria 

GROUP AT THE LAYING OF THE VICTORIA PARK FOUNDATION STONE. 

Park took place on Saturday afternoon. The inclement weather interfered with the attendance to a considerable extent, but there were a large number of residents of the municipality present. Amongst those who attended the ceremony were the Rev. D. J. Garland, Mr. J. W. Hackett, M.L.C., Mr. Lyall Hall, M.L.A., Mr. W. G. Brookman, and representatives of suburban municipalities. The proceedings opened with a short address by Cr. Hutchinson, describing the progress that had been made by the Victoria Park Municipality since he came there a few years ago, Cr. Hutchinson pointed out, however, that it was essential to the prosperity of the township that the tram line should be extended to it. With the advent of that line he anticipated that a large number of persons in business positions in Perth would make their suburban home in Victoria Park. Mr. G. Joachim, of the firm of Joachim and Ruck, the architects for the building, followed with a few remarks, at the conclusion of which he presented a silver trowel to the Mayoress of Victoria Park, Mrs. A. G. Russell, who, amid applause, declared the foundation stone of the building well and truly laid. The Rev. D. J. Garland afterwards addressed the gathering on matters of interest to the municipality, referring to the duty of the council to provide a recreation ground for the youthful members of the community, and concurring with those who objected to the purchase of the small block at the back of the hall, which he described as a backyard. He suggested, amid applause, that application should be made for part of the South Perth commonage, which lay within a gunshot of where they were standing. Mr. Garland congratulated those present on the work on which they were engaged, and complimented the municipality on the energy and public spirit it had displayed. The Mayor (Mr. A. G. Russell), who also spoke, referred to the great advance the municipality had made in the last few years. Mr. Lyall Hall apologised for the absence of the Mayor and his brother councillors of Perth, whom other engagements had kept away that day. Afternoon tea was then partaken of. On the invitation of the Mayor (Mr. A. G. Russell), an adjournment was afterwards made to the council chambers, where several toasts were honoured. Mr. Lyall Hall proposed the toast, "Prosperity to the Victoria Park Municipality." Mr. Russell said it gave him much pleasure to respond on behalf of the Victoria Park Municipality, of which any man might well be proud to be mayor. He referred to the harmonious nature of the council meetings, so different in this respect from those of some neighbouring towns. In connection with the electric lighting of the Causeway the Perth City Council had agreed to defray one-third of the expenditure, but had afterwards informed them that to pay this sum would be an illegal action on their part. The Perth citizens obtained as much benefit from this work as they in Victoria Park did, and he considered that they should contribute something towards its cost. lt was, he added, the intention of the council to spend several hundred pounds in draining the low-lying land in the municipality, and, in conclusion, he expressed the opinion that Victoria Park would in time be the leading suburb of Perth. The toast of "The Perth and Suburban Municipalities " was proposed by the Mayor. Mr. Lyall Hall, replying on behalf of Perth, said that the Perth City Council had promised to pay a portion of the cost of lighting the Causeway, but the City Solicitor advised them that it would be illegal to do so. He felt perfectly sure that if the Perth City Council could see their way clear to fulfilling their obligation they would so. (Applause.) 

Cr. Wallace, the acting mayor of  Leederville ; Mr. J. W.'Johnson, town clerk  of Leederville (on [behalf of Subiaco), and  Mr. J. H. Hunt (on behalf [of Claremont),  also spoke in acknowledgment of the toast. Several other toasts were honoured before the gathering dispersed. The site of the hall is at the corner of Albany-road and Kingston-road. An expenditure of £2,000 is contemplated, but it is at present only intended to proceed with a portion of the complete design, the outlay which has been authorised for this part being £500. The first portion of the hall will be completed in about nine weeks. We are indebted to Mr.. Kent, the Town Clerk of Victoria Park, for a description of the design. The front portion is to he of two storeys, the lower floor being devoted to Town Clerk's office, 24ft. Cin. x 16ft.; reading: room, 17ft. x 14ft.; surveyor's office, 16ft. x 13ft. 6in.; with strong-room, lavatories, and cloak rooms ; also two shops, which are to be independent of the other portion. The main entrance is to face Alba.iy-road, with a corridor 9tt. wide leading to a vestibule, 19ft. x 13ft., from which a broad flight of stairs gives access to the upper rooms, consisting of a council chamber, 42ft. x 26ft.; mayor's parlour, 17ft. x 14ft. The Jarge hall is placed at the rear of the ground floor, and is 80ft. x 38ft., with gallery at back, the whole being capable of accommodating 600 peojile. The building is to be erected in stone and brick, with cemented dressings, and the style of architecture adopted is Italian rennaissance. The architects are Messrs. G. Joachim and Edwin J. Buck, of Colonial Mutual Buildings, St. George's-terrace, whose plans were selected by the council from the competitive designs sent in.