New Council Building Opened

Nelson's new £107,000 City Council office block was officially opened by Mr A. M. Linton, president of the Municipal Association of New Zealand and Mayor of Rotorua on July 1. The simple opening ceremony was enhanced by Mr Linton's address, much of which concerned tourism and Nelson's potential in this sphere.

In these three pages we have covered the opening and a part of the staff's "move in" day.

Mr Linton and Nelson's Mayor, Mr D. N. Strawbridge, against a background of the city's mosaic ceramic coat of arms in the foyer of the new building.

The big shift starts, Sally Bate gathering stationery for removal.

The building was in use before the day was out; the whole council, sitting as the traffic committee, making a decision on the city parking by-law.

Mr R. Hunter, of the Hunter Construction Company, makes a presentation to Mr Linton.

Lord Nelson keeps an eye on the activities of Mayor Douglas Nelson Strawbridge as Mr Strawbridge commences work in his chambers.

Some of the guests at the opening function

A new telephone exchange goes with the new building and John O'Brien (Nelson) and Maureen Harvey (Wellington), of the Post and Telegraph Department, supervise Margaret Jackson and Trudy Studd in its use.

Special sound-proof machine rooms have been built into the main office floor, and that's where we found two operators, Valerie Schwass and Wendy Batchelor.