AVAILABLE SITES IN THE HEART OF THE CITY

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 32, 14 March 1914, Page 6 (Supplement)

AVAILABLE SITES IN THE HEART OF THE CITY

WHERE THEY ARE, AND WHAT THEY WOULD COST,

The following sites have been freely" mentioned in connection with the controversy. The values given have been made for THE SUN by an expert, although it is not suggested that the sites in question could be acquired at the prices named. It would probably cost a good deal more to take the land under the Public Works Act. Still they will give the public some idea, of what is involved if the purchase of a site is made part of the scheme:— ' (1) The Market Reserre. —This site is the one which has been officially selected by the City Council. It is. situated in Victoria Square, and has frontages to Colombo and Victoria Streets, and Oxford Terrace. -The land is a city reserve, and some thirty years or more ago it was set aside.for.the purposes of a' Town Hall. It is, therefore, properly speaking, the Town Hall Beserve. The Citizens' Association now proposes to use this site, closing the road between it and the river, and to build the Town ? Hall right over, the river itself, which would give much more room and leavo ampfe space in front of the building. Votes for site No. 1 will, therefore? be counted as approving of this scheme. ... (2) The Provincial Council Chambers' site is too well known to require description. It is situated between Armagh and Gloucester Streets. On the west side is Durham Street, and on the east there is a slope to the river Avon. If a Town Hall were to be erected on it the old Provincial Chambers would have to be demolished or removed. The Government has - been approached in the past to make a present of the Chambers to the eity, and has declared it would probably cost the city £BOOO or £9OOO to buy. (3) Cambridge Terrace, on the north side of Victoria Square, through to Kilmore Street.—The proposal is that the Town Hall should be erected on Cambridge Terrace, and extend through to Kilmore Street. The front of the hall would come across the existing road, but a seim-eireular drive could be made between the front and the river, thus retaining eonneetion . between Victoria and Colombo Streets. The buildings on the block are probably worth £BOOO, and the acre of land would cost every penny of £6OOO. The whole of the block might not be required. (4) Corner Worcester Street and Cambridge Terrace, taking in properties owned by Dr Manning and,Dr Symes. The approach to the Town Hall would be hy the Worcester Street bridge. The site is opposite the Canterbury Club, and on the east side looks out on the river and the present City Chambers. The buildings are worth probably from £2500 to £3OOO, and the land is approximately worth £4OOO for the three-quarters of an acre. (5) Corner Gloucester Street and Durham Street, opposite Provincial Council Chambers, at present occupied by Dr Jennings.—This Site is almost sufficiently described by the mere statement as to its locality. The approach from the city would bo by the Gloucester Street bridge, and the Town Hall would face the fine stone building in the. Provincial Chambers. It would probably cost the city from £BSOO to £IO,OOO to Buy the land and ' buildings. (6) Corner Armagh Street and Oxford Terrace, taking in Godfrey and Tayler 's and Christchurch Working Men's Club.—This site is nnieh fancied by people. It faces the river on the west, and on the north it looks out on a fata" vista of the river, fine public- buildings, and the Queen's Statue Beserve. The buildings aro fairly old, and might be valued at £3OOO. The land would probably cost £BSOO. (7) Southern half of Latimer Square. —The southern half of Latimer Square is city property, but it would requi»e special legislation to enable it to be used for Town Hall purposes. It is bounded by Worcester and Hereford Streets.