# Municipal and Official Handbook of the City of Auckland, New Zealand/Town Hall

TOWN HALL
Although Auckland's municipal history goes back to 1851, eleven years after the foundation of the city itself, it was not until sixty years later that the first building devoted entirely to the purposes of a town hall was opened. Prior to the Proclamation of April 24, 1871, by which the Auckland City Council was constituted under "The Municipal Corporations Act, 1867," local government was a thing of little importance, but from 1871 onwards the municipality began to make headway. At the commencement of this period, only a small office, owned by Messrs. Upton & Co., Booksellers, Queen Street, and located over their shop, was occupied as the first municipal chambers of Auckland. As the Council's affairs prospered, this humble office was found inadequate, and larger accommodation was sought in the old Magistrate's Court, at the corner of High and Chancery Streets. Soon after the opening of the Public Library in the new building, Wellesley Street, in 1887, the Council decided to utilize, temporarily, some of the rooms in this building as Municipal Chambers—that which had been planned for a lecture hall becoming the Council Chamber, and rooms designed for more æsthetic purposes being converted into departmental offices. For nearly a quarter of a century (until the Town Hall was ready for occupation) the Corporation carried on its work here.
The first practical step in connection with the provision of a Town Hall for Auckland goes back to ​1880, in which year the question of a site received the consideration of the City Council, and it was then resolved to seek legislative authority to occupy the reserve at the junction of Grey and Queen Streets for the erection of a Town Hall.
This was carried into effect, and by "The Auckland Reserves Exchange and Change of Trust Act, 1881," Clause 5, the Council was authorised to erect a Town Hall and such other buildings for municipal purposes as to the Council should seem fit upon such reserve, being Lot 57, Section 29, City of Auckland, containing 30 poles, which previously, by "The Auckland City Endowments and Reserves Act, 1875," had been vested in fee simple in the Mayor, Councillors, and Citizens of the City of Auckland and their successors as an endowment for the improvement of the City of Auckland.
The area of the reserve was manifestly too small for the purpose, and, as an addition thereto, the Council purchased, in 1883, Mr. Lally's property in Grey Street for £1,350, and Mr. S. Jagger's property fronting Queen Street, on which was erected the Army and Navy Hotel, for £3,800.
In 1901 proposals were submitted by the Council to the ratepayers to erect a Town Hall at a cost of £26,000, and to purchase two areas of land between Coburg and Lorne Streets, known as Philson's Square and Graham's property, containing about one acre, at the price of £14,000. Although these proposals were not officially connected, still, in the minds of the rate​payers, they formed one joint proposal, and they were rejected at the poll.
In 1905 the Council resolved that the time had arrived for providing a Town Hall for the City of Auckland, and that such Hall be erected on the site already acquired for the purpose at the corner of Queen and Grey Streets, subject to the Council being enabled to acquire the additional land necessary, and being satisfied that no architectural difficulties existed to prevent the erection of a suitable building.
Negotiations were entered into for the purchase of the necessary additional land, resulting in the acquisition of Lots 2 to 7, 9 to 13, of Allotments 1, 2 and 3, of Section 29, of the City of Auckland, at the price of £13,301.
This additional land having been acquired, competitive designs were invited for the Town Hall, the premiums offered being:—
| 1st | £400 |
| 2nd | £200 |
| 3rd | £100 |
Forty-six sets of designs were submitted, and these were placed by the Council before a special Board of Experts, consisting of Messrs. W. E. Bush, A.M.I.C.E., City Engineer; H. C. Kent, F.R.I.B.A., of Melbourne; P. Oakden, F.R.V.I.A., of Melbourne; T. Mahoney and R. M. Watt, Architects, of Auckland.
These gentlemen, after spending seven or eight days in exhaustively studying the designs, recommended the ​Council to select as the three best those submitted by
* Messrs. J. J. & E. J. Clark, Architects, of Melbourne
* Messrs. W. & H. Black, Architects, of Camberwell, Melbourne.
* Messrs. Clegg & Miller, Architects, of Ballarat, Victoria.
Tenders were called as soon as possible thereafter, and in August, 1908, the tender of Messrs. Ferguson & Malcolm, at the price of £87,565 19s was accepted, subject to such modifications thereof as might be mutually agreed upon between the Council and the contractors.
Subsequent modifications and improvements, including the substitution of a stone front for stucco work, the purchase of additional land and the furnishing, together with the charges incidental to the raising of loans, brought up the cost of the building to approximately £125,000.
The foundation stone was laid by His Worship the Mayor (Mr.—afterwards the Hon.—Arthur M. Myers) on the 24th February, 1909, and the building was opened by the Governor, Baron Islington, on 14th December, 1911, Mr. (afterwards the Hon.) C. J. Parr, C.M.G., Mayor, presiding at the ceremony which took place in the Large Hall. The festivities connected with the opening continued for a week, concerts, organ recitals, oratorios, and the Annual Reunion of the Old Colonists' Association being held in the new Hall.
The architectural style of the building is a free treatment of the Classic, and the material used for the facades is Oamaru limestone with a base in Melbourne bluestone. For the main Queen and Grey Street fronts a columnar method of design has been adopted, terminating at the apex formed by the junction of the two streets in a segmental colonnade, surmounted by a tower 18 feet square and 130 feet high, in which is fixed the clock with four dials of 8½ feet diameter, presented by Mr. A. M. Myers. In front of this colonnade is a terrace enclosed by a stone balustrade, with provision for a statue at the extreme angle. A feature of the structure of the building is the arrangement of the foundations, which necessitated special treatment on account of the depth at which rock was found. Concrete piers have been carried down at intervals to the rock and the spaces between spanned by concrete beams carrying the walls, the beams being reinforced with Kahn steel bars.
The principal entrance is from Queen Street, and the building is divided into two portions, the first being a four-storey building containing the Municipal Offices, and the other containing the Large Hall, Concert Chamber, and Supper Room.
​These portions are separated from each other by the main entrance hall, giving access to the Large Hall, Concert Chamber, Super Room, etc. The main entrance to the Large Hall and Concert Chamber is in Queen Street.
From the entrance hall a staircase, 12 feet wide, leads down to the ground floor of the Large Hall and to the Supper Room, which are on the basement of Grey Street level.
The principal office entrance is also situated on Queen Street, immediately under the tower, and leads by a short staircase to the ground floor of the office block. There is also a commodious entrance on Grey Street with a courtyard entrance adjoining, and there are separate entrances to the dressing rooms for both the Large Hall and Concert Chamber.
The office portion of the building provides the following accommodation:—On the basement floor, offices for the City Valuer and Registrar of Electors, Traffic Inspector, Stores Purchasing Department, Strong and Store Rooms, and commodious cloak-rooms for gentlemen.
MAYOR'S ROOM.
MAYORESS'S ROOM.
​small gallery for the accommodation of the public, with separate entrance, is also provided. The Chamber is approached by doors leading from the Mayor's suite and the Councillors' suite respectively.
The Mayor's suite consists of Waiting Room, Public Office, and Private Room, and separate lavatory accommodation.
The Town Clerk's Private Office adjoins the Waiting Room, with his general office adjacent.
On the Grey Street side a suite of rooms for Councillors is provided, consisting of Councillors' Room, Committee Room, Library, and Cloak Room. A kitchen adjoins the Councillors' Room.
On the first floor are situated offices for the City Engineer, Waterworks Engineer, and Chief Sanitary Inspector.
The second floor is occupied by the City Treasurer's Department and the Auckland City Sinking Fund Commissioners. On this floor also are provided Caretaker's quarters.
On each floor there is ample lavatory accommodation for the staff.
The orchestral platform is so arranged that it can be run back on the occasion of dances or big public meetings, when an extra large floor area is required.
Dressing-room and lavatory accommodation is provided at the rear of the Large Hall for the use of artistes and performers, and underneath the organ loft there is a commodious Green Room, and ample Cloakrooms and lavatories for ladies and gentlemen. Ticket offices are provided for both halls.
The Concert Chamber is, overall, 93 feet long by 47 feet wide and 31 feet high, and is capable of seating 880 persons. It has a stage platform and ample dressing-rooms. Communication with the Large Hall is obtained by a bridge across the triangular light area between the two halls.
Both halls are amply provided with exits, the doors of which are fitted with patent panic bolts.
Underneath the Concert Chamber is the Supper Room, which communicates directly by two bridges with the Large Hall, and in connection therewith there is a kitchen and large servery, approached by a separate staircase from Queen Street.
​A large chair store has been made under the Large Hall, and chair lift and hatchway provided.
Both the Large Hall and Concert Chamber are exceedingly handsome auditoriums, the decorations being carried out in Carrara plaster work of chaste design, while the windows are stained lead lights.
The three public staircases are constructed of reinforced concrete, finished in granolithic, the landings being finished with tiled floors and dadoes, a similar treatment being adopted for all lavatories. The balusters are of ornamental cast-iron, with cedar handrail.
The whole of the walls are rendered in cement and finished with Keene's, while all ceilings are plastered with finish.
Lead lights have been used in the Large Hall, Concert Chamber, Entrance Hall, and Colonnade, at apex, with good effect.
New Zealand kauri and Australian jarrah are the principal timbers employed, the Large Hall roof trusses, balcony and gallery cantilevers and principal floor girders being of steel.
All walls other than the stone facings are of brick or cement concrete, and slate and galvanised iron are used for roofing. Internal partitions are of timber studding, lathed with steel and plastered.
The whole of the building is lighted and heated by electricity, the electroliers being of handsome design, and an electric passenger lift has also been installed, giving access to every floor.
​Fire hydrants have been provided, and exhaust mains for a stationary vacuum cleaning plant fixed over the whole building.
The Town Hall, being the most commodious hall in the city, is used for all the large gatherings, both public and private, of the city. All the important civic receptions take place here also; it was in this Hall that H.R.H. the Prince of Wales was officially welcomed by the Mayor, councillors and citizens on his arrival in Auckland on April 24th, 1920.
The City's progress in the decennial period since the opening of the Town Hall has been so great that already the accommodation provided for the municipal staff is inadequate, a number of departments being housed in offices outside the Town Hall. The Council has under consideration proposals for the erection of Municipal Chambers on the old Markets site, in order that the Corporation's Staff may be congregated in one building.
J. S. BRIGHAM.
Town Clerk.
Schedule of charges for hire of Town Hall, Concert Chamber and Organ.
| | | Concert Chamber. | Concert Chamber. | Concert Chamber. | Large Hall. | Large Hall. | Large Hall. |
| | | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. |
| 1. | Daylight, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | 1 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2. | Daylight, 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 3. | Matinee for Celebrities | 4 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 4. | Evening (Electric Light included), Mondays to Fridays (and Public Holidays when trams not running), 7.30 p.m. to 11 p.m. | 5 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| 5. | Saturdays, 7.30 to 11 p.m. | 5 | 10 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| 6. | Public Holidays, 7.30 to 11 p.m. when trams running | 6 | 6 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| 7. | Rehearsals (evening) in connection with engagements only, subject to Hall not being otherwise required. Partial lighting 3½ hours | 1 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 8. | Daylight Rehearsals (morning or afternoon) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 9. | When no charge for admission made, nor collection taken up (including Sundays), evening | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 10. | When no charge for admission made, but collection taken up (including Sundays), evening | 3 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 11. | Receptions, At Homes, by daylight, no admission charge, no electric lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| | If electric light required (extra) | 0 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 12. | Local Artistes and Musical societies (only) allowed 15 per cent. reduction from above charges. |
| SPECIAL PROVISIONS. ||
| 13. | Strictly Charity Concerts. All personal services being without fee, and whole proceeds, if any, being devoted to Charitable object, 7.30 p.m. to 11 p.m. | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| | When personal services are paid for, and balance of proceeds devoted to Chartity | 3 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 14. | Bazaars, Exhibitions, Flower Shows, or other Similar engagements, necessitating the use of the Town Hall during the whole day and evening, until not later than 11 p.m., including 4 hours lighting | 5 | 10 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| | Hall must be vacated not later than noon the day following the closing of engagement, or half usual charge additional paid. ​ |
| 15. | Use of kitchen and store rooms (own fuel to be provided) | | | | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| | Deposit (to be returned after cleaning kitchen not later than noon on day after use) | | | | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| BALLS. ||
| 16. | From 7.30 p.m. till midnight | 5 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| 17. | From 7.30 p.m. till midnight (including use of supper room and kitchen) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| 18. | From 7.30 p.m. to 3 a.m. | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| 19. | From 7.30 p.m. to 3 a.m. (including use of supper room and kitchen) | 8 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| 20. | When Balls are in aid of Local Charities, 15 per cent. reduction. |
| | When the Small Hall is engaged as a Supper Room or Refreshment Room, in connection with the use of the Large Hall for Balls, one-third of the above rates for the Small Hall to be paid for same. |
| USE OF ORGAN. ||
| 21. | For accompaniments only, by approved Organists | | | | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| 22. | For accompaniments only, by approved Organists, for Charitable purposes | | | | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| 23. | For Public Recitals | | | | 3 | 10 | 0 |
| 24. | For Public Recitals for Charitable purposes | | | | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| 25. | Practice (approved Organists only) by daylight, per hour | | | | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 26. | Practice in evening, Hall not otherwise engaged, two small lights allowed, per hour | | | | 0 | 7 | 6 |