OLD PROVINCIAL BUILDINGS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21236, 7 August 1934, Page 10

OLD PROVINCIAL BUILDINGS

. ___♦ SUGGESTED DEMOLITION OF PORTION PILGRIMS* ASSOCIATION CONCERNED The executive of the Canterbury Pilgrims' and Early Settlers' Association decided yesterday to write to Mr E. J. Howard, M.P., chairman of the board of trustees of the Canterbury Provincial Council buildings, and the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) expressing astonishment that there had been "even a suggestion" that part of the building should be demolished, and enquiring as to the truth of the rumour. Mr G. W. Hungerford, the secretary, drew the attention of the executive to newspaper articles reporting the possibility of part of the buildings being pulled down. "We have nothing definite, but there must be something at the back of it" he said.

Mr E. R. Webb, the chairman, said that if the suggestion were well-founded the association should certainly make a protest. It was true, however, that at the present time it was nothing more than a rumour.

Mr D. E. Hutton said that a caretaker was being paid to look after the buildings at the present time, and that being so they must ba worth looking after. His own opinion was that the. buildings would last many more years. There were only one or two parts of the buildings badly affected by the borer. He would be sorry to see any part of the old buildings demolished. Mr Webb: Everyone in Christchurch would.

Mr Hungerford said that those parts affected by the borer could easily be repaired. Mr A. Selwyn Bruce: This association is really interes'.ed only in the council chamber and "Bellamy's." Mr Webb said that the answer of the Government to any protest against demolition of part of the buildings would be that no funds were available for its upkeep. Mr Bruce: If they were presented to the city I am sure the council would realise its responsibility. No one in Christchurch would ever let the buildings go. Mr Hutton suggested that it might only be a test to ascertain whether there would be any protest against the demolition of the bui'dings if such was decided upon. He did no'; think that any such action would be taken if the public of Christchurch showed itself strongly opposed to it.