The building itself prominently displays that it was constructed in 1881.

This may be true, but the building was certainly not completed in 1881.

Since 1870 and prior to the construction of the Council Chambers, the mayor and alderman of Wagga met at the home of FA Tompson called “Waterview”, where a temporary office had been established.

By 1881 many locals and both newspapers were advocating for a permanent town hall or council chambers for Wagga.

A competition was held to find an appropriate design, with the winning plan coming from Melbourne architect William Salway.

Charles Hardy’s tender for construction of the building was accepted at a cost of £2450.

A contract was signed by the parties on March 31, 1881 with a completion date set for December 4, 1881.

The new structure was not completed however until July 20, 1882.

Whilst a delay was experienced for a short period in obtaining bricks, the architect laid the blame squarely on the builder, Mr Hardy.

Council also took the same view, and a legal battle ensued, with Mr Hardy refusing to “hand-over possession” of the building, and council not paying the builder’s invoice.

Finally, the council paid Mr Hardy in full before the matter went to court.

The council clerk commenced work in the new Council Chambers on Monday, September 4, 1882, and we can only assume that the regular Borough of Wagga meetings were also held in the new building from September 1882.

Interestingly, no official opening ever took place.