Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

12 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

THE FREE LIBRARY SITE.I .-i

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

THE FREE LIBRARY SITE. i THE ANCIENT LIGHT DIFFICULTY. SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL. A special meeting of the Council was held on Saturday morning to consider the report- of the Council in Committee on the difficulty with which the Council is placed in regard to the right of light claimed by Mr L W. Wil- liams, the owner of the property adjoining the site selected for the new building. Mr W. H. Jones presided, and there were present Messrs E, E. Büne, H. Edwards, F. J. Sarson, Robt. Roberts, Wm, Thomas, J. McMaster, S. Chan- trey, David Davies, G. Woody-att, W. 0-. Wil- liams, J. J. Marks, Henry Wilson, T. Smith, and the Clerk (Mr A. Conolly), and the Architect (Mr G. A. Humphreys). The Council were recommended in view of the objections raised by the owner of the ad- joining property to abandon the present site, and that Lord Mostyn should be asked to re- new his offer of .another free site. The Chairman formally proposed the adop- tion of the recommendation. Mr Bone, in seconding, said that Lord Mos- tyn originally offered the choice of three sites, i.e., the site of the present library or a site in Mostyn Broadway or Gloddaeth Street. Personally he had supported the Mostyn Broadway site, but the Council having decided against that he had loyally fell in with the wishes of the majority and done all he could towards carrying the project through. At the same time he had always felt that the site selected did not lend itself to the erection of a building such as the town ought to have in a few years' time. He also knew that ancient lights would be interferd with, but in the face of assurances that no differences would arise he waived that consideration. Another point in favour of abandoning the present scte was that full justice would not be given to the generosity of Lord Mostyn while, the present site was insisted upon. Unfortunately there was a mortgage on the present building with which Lord Mostyn had nothing to do, the money being lent by Lady Augusta Mostyn. but the fact that there was a mortgage upon it depreciated in people's eyes the value of the gifts. Now that an unexpected difficulty has arisen- Mr Marks: Not unexpected, I pointed it out at the time. Mr Bone admitted this, and continuing, maintained that to meet the objections of Mr Williams it would be necessary to alter the plans unanimously approved of by the Council and therefore destroy the architectural effect of the new building. The Council had asked Mr Williams to agree to the building provided the plans were strictly adhered to, but through his advisers had replied that he could not bind himself until he had seen the effect of the new building on his property. As a public authority they could not venture on the under- taking, and therefore he proposed the abandon- ment of the site. Mr David: Davies, as an amendment, pro- posed that the present site be not .abandoned luntil every effort had been made to arrive at an amicable settlement.—{Hear, hear.) Ap- parently not a single move had been made in the direction of arriving at a settlement. Pub- lic opinion was strongly in favour oi the present site, which in his opinion was the most central and best far the building. Mr J. 0. Thomas, in seconding, said that Mr Williams' only intention was to safeguard his property. If the light is not materially affect- ed he would raise no objection. It was pointed out to Mr Thomas that Messrs Chamberlain and Johnson, who were acting on Mr Williams' behalf, in their letter stated that in the opinion of their architect the light "would be substantially interfered with. Mr Thomas: I was not here when that let- ter was read. But I still believe the present site is the best for the library, and think that some effort should be made to settle the mat- tetr amicably. The question of the ancient light on the other side was then brought forward, and in reply to the Chairman Mr G. A. Humphreys said one shilling a year was paid the trustees of the Baptist Chapel in respect of their rights. A legal argument on the phase of the ques- tion followed. after which Mr Rabt. Roberts strongly supported the making of one more effort to arrive at a settlement. If that attempt failed the Council would have ex- hausted all the means provided by civilization and could! then consider any other sitei offered. Mr Chantrey proposed that a vote be taken. The Council, he said, were, faced with ample difficulties in the Light Railway, Oowlyd Water Board and' John Jones and Son disputes with- out adding the Library to the number. Mr F. J. Sarson seconded. Mr McMaster: The thing ought to be thrash- ed out thoroughly. Mr Chantrey: We aTe not all like you, having no business to attend to. Mr McMaster: Members of the Council have to neigleot their business if they wish tOo fulfil their pledges to the ratepayers. Mr Chantrey: You are always crying' out aboutt the inconvenience of attending special meetings. Mr McMaster: That's not true. On being voted upon Mr Chantrey's motion vas carried, and a vote, taken on Mr Davies' ömendment, which was carried by nine votes o seven. Mr Robt. Roberts then proposed that Mr J. V. 'Williams, through his solicitors, be asked } meet a deputation of the Council to discuss i matter. This was seconded by Mr T. Smith and areed to, the following being appointed:- Vssrs W. H. Jones, J. 0. Thomas, Robert oberts and the, Clerk. With regard to the tenancy of the present rilding, which tei-n-iiinateis shortly, it was de- led to continue, the same as a monthly nancy, STILL NO SETTLEMENT. special meeting of the Council was held on esday evening to, receive the report of the putation. Mr W. H. Jones presided, the fol- ding being present: Messrs E. E. Bone, H. wards, W. Thomas, D. Davies, H. Wilson, P. tea, T. Smith, J. McMaster, R. Roberts, J. Thomas, F. J. Sanson, W. Beaumont, T. W. ffith, and the deputy clerk (Mr W. D Long- ¡ w). Apologies were received, from Mr Chantrey and Mr W. 0. Williams. Mr G. A. Humphreys was also. present. Tha following report of the deputation was read: — Town Hall., Llandudno, 21st September, 1908, Your Committee beg to report that as re- quested by your Council at the last meeting, they have had an interview with the Solicitors of Mr Williams with a. view to ascertaining whether it is possible to come to an amicable arrangement with respect to the ancient lights of Mr Williams before any further progress is made in the matter of the proposed new Pub- lie Library. As a means of bridging over the difficulty which now presents itself and so. as to avoid any delay in the progress of the scheme it was suggested by Mr Williams' Solicitors that an independent Arbitrator should be appoint- ed to decide the questions involved, that each party should be appointed to decide the ques- tions involved, that each party should agree to. engage only one Junior Counsel and that the number of expert witnesses on either side should be restricted to two cur three. Your Committee demurred to this suggestion as being one which might involve consider- able cost. The following suggestion was then made- That Mr Hartley of Liverpool should, be ap- pointed to say what should be done in the matter and what (if anything) paid to Mr Wil- liams by the Council. So as to avoid expense as much as possible there shall be no formal sitting, but Mr Hartley shall be entitled to con- fer with the Solicitors and Architects on either side. The Council in any event to pay Mr Hartley's fees and Mr Williams' costs. It has since been ascertained that Mr Hartley is prepared to act in the matter for a fee of 25 guineas. We append a copy of a letter written by Messrs Chamberlain and Johnson to Mr Hartley which clearly states what is proposed, Your Committee have. also had an interview with Mr Raymond, one of the Trustees of the Baptist Chapel, with reference to. the right of light appertaining to the building. A meeting of the Trustees is to be held to-night, Monday, and the decision will be communicated in time for your meeting to-morrow Your Committee appreciate the courteous manner in which they have been met in the matter, and they believe that the owners only desire is to protect their property fromdamage and have no. desire to hamper the Council in any way. We are, gentlemen, youirs faithfully (.signed) W. H. Jones, R, Roberts, J. 0. Thomas. The following letter was also read, which had been sent Mr H. Hartley, of Liverpool, by Messrs Chamberlain and Johnson-- "Referring to our interview on the telephone with youir representative this morning, this is a matter which concerns the conversion of the old Newsroom and Library in MüstynStreet into a more pretentious building to be used as a Free Library. We are concerned for Mr Williams, the adjoining owner, whose ancient lights are in our judgment threatened by the proposed new building, and we have made our offer to the Council on the result of negotia- tions between us to refer the whole matter to you alone to say what shall be done and whajt (if anything) paid to Mr Williams by the Coun- cil, subject to its being understood that there shall be no formal sitting. That you shall be entitled to confer with the Solicitors and Architects on either side and that your fees and our client's costs shall in any events be paid by the Council. The Town Clerk has asked us to enquire what your fee would be so that he may bring OUT offer before his Council at their meeting on Tuesday next. Perhaps you will telephone Mr Johnson on Monday and then wire confirming by that day's post." A letter was also read from Mr J. H. Jones, financial secretary of the English Baptist Chapel, stating that the matter had been con- sidered by the Church Committee and referred to the .trustees, who would meet on Thursday evening to decide on their course of action. In reply to a question, Mr E. E. Bone said Mr Hartley was a very able architect and a, specialist on the question of ancient lights. In reply to another question the Chairman said the deputation had tried to .get a definite statement as to what Mr Williams would re- quire, but were told he was not prepared to do so. Mr Bone said that in his .opinion themod.e of procedure had been wrong. The Council was not in a corner, and obliged to, accept terms whether they liked' them or not. iHe wanted to be told what .should be done to the plans of the new building so that they would meet with Mr Williams' approval, but nu),t, one penny of compensaio should be paid. He was willing to agree to the payment of a reasonable sum to find out what alterations should be made—a sum not exceeding C20 to be paid to Mr Williams' solicitors and architect. If the Council could not accept the proposals then made the site should be abandoned altogether. At this stage a letter was read from the Ratepayers' Association urging the Council not to abandon the present sit,e,. Mr J. 0. Thomas pointed out that the plans had been unanimously approved of by the Council, but some of the members thought that if the building was erected without Mr Wil- liams assenting too great risk would be run, and the Sub-committee suggested the proposal as read as the best and cheapest means of ascertaining that risk. Following this there was a, long discussion as to the best course to adopt. Mr Wm. Thomas finally proposed a resolution declining the terms offered, which was seconded by Mr Sar- son, and carried unanimously. Mr T. W. Griffith proposed the following re- solution:—"That the Council's offer to pay, through Messrs Chamberlain and Johnson, the sum of £ 20 to cover all legal expenses and the employment by Mr Williams of an architect to advise him what alteration .should be made in the plans of the, proposed new building, and that on the receipt of the alterations set out in the plans the-Council should be called to consider the same." This was agreed' to unanimously. It was decided that no further meeting of the Council should be called until after the trustees of the English Baptist Chapel had communicated their demands after meeting on Thursday. Winter and Co., Chemists, Dealers in all kind

Advertising

GOLF.

FOOTBALL.

NATURE ,JOTTINGS.

Advertising

SHOPPING OUT OF TOWN.

THE FRENCHMAN AND THE TRUNK.

Advertising

THE ROLLER SKATING RINK.

APPOINTMENT OF MEDICAL OFFICERS.

THE ROLLER SKATING RINK.