Page:Municipal Handbook of Auckland 1922.djvu/52

 Council to select as the three best those submitted by
 * 1) Messrs. J. J. & E. J. Clark, Architects, of Melbourne
 * 2) Messrs. W. & H. Black, Architects, of Camberwell, Melbourne.
 * 3) 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.