This building was constructed in 1876 by a company known as The Public Hall Limited and was later sold to the Palmerston North Borough Council. The building stood on the corner of The Square and Fitzherbert Avenue. The rear portion of the building was a public hall, while the front portion housed the offices of the Borough Council and the Manawatu Highways Board. The first Public Library was also housed in the upstairs portion of this building. The hall was destroyed by fire in 1885.