Читать книгу Here's Another - Lennie Lower - Страница 13

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The masonry of the Town Hall is not on the square. The place is now in such a dangerous condition owing to blasting operations that aldermen are gravely concerned. The portico is cracked. The tower is cracked. The aldermen are...going to discuss the matter to-day.

The City Engineer says that "the condition is due to fretting of the stonework." And city ratepayers will feel a certain amount of sympathy with the stonework.

Personally, we have never seen a stonework, although we know a brickworks, but, anyhow, the history of the Town Hall is very interesting.

Mr. Martin Carrick, who has been Lord Mayor's orderly for the past 150 years, was discovered by Governor Bligh, standing on the spot where now stands the Town Hall.

So greatly did the Governor admire Mr. Carrick's uniform that he caused the Town Hall to be built around him.

The lift is worth a visit. Originally built for a green Mexican parrot, it was left on the hands of the civic authorities when the bird suddenly developed cirrhosis of the beak, and passed away unanimously.

The perch was removed, and the old cage converted into a lift, into which it is possible to crowd two passengers and the driver, or the driver and one alderman.

All this, as we said before, is very interesting, and it would, indeed, be a pity to see this historic structure crash to the ground while the council was in session, without first removing Mr. Carrick and the lift, and locking all exits.

Please do not walk an the grass borders.