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168
site for library.
Immediately on their appointment, in April, 1896, the Commissioners
considered the question of the provision of a site whereon to erect the Library
buildings. One of the principal sites suggested was the large plot of land in
Borough Road, upon a portion of which the Library building is now being
erected.
Negotiations took place between the Commissioners and the Bridge
House Estates Committee for the sale of the whole of this site to the Commissioners,
but as the amount asked for by the Committee was considerably in
excess of that which the Commissioners thought it desirable should be paid
for a site, the negotiations fell through.
purchase of leasehold.
An attempt was then made to secure the present site. It was found
that the Bridge House Estates Committee had let the whole plot of land on a
building agreement to Mr. C. J. Phipps, Architect, of 26, Mecklenhurgh Square.
On further enquiry it was ascertained that the Committee had divided the
ground rent of the two portions of the land into £175 per annum for the front
portion and £50 per annum for the larger or back portion.
After considerable negotiations with Mr. C. J. Phipps, the Commissioners
agreed to pay him tho sum of £500 for a surrender of his building agreement
for the corner plot of land, with frontage to the Borough Road, and a depth
of 70 feet, in order that a new building agreement might be entered into
between the Commissioners and the Bridge House Estates Committee at tho
reduced rent of £150 per annum, the rent of tho back portion retained by
Mr. Phipps being increased to £75 per annum.
One of the conditions attached to the agreement by Mr. Phipps was that
Messrs. Phipps & Jackson should be appointed Architects of tho building on
the usual professional terms, subject to Mr. Passmore Edwards' approval.
A formal agreement to the above effect was entered into between the
Commissioners and Mr. Phipps, which bears date the 21st May, 1897—the
delay in completing the agreement having arisen in consequence of Mr. Phipps
absence on the Continent.
arrangement for purchase of freehold.
Negotiations had in the meantime taken place with the Bridgo House
Estates Committee for the purchase of the freehold of the land. Tho Com
mittee, however, declined to accept a smaller sum than £1500, or 30 years
purchase of the ground rent. The Commissioners considered this amount
somewhat excessive, but under the circumstances agreed to it.
A new building agreement was. accordingly granted by the City Corpora
tion to the Commissioners on the 30th August, 1897, embodying a clause