AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 206, 29 August 1905, Page 3

AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY.

. JTHE METROPOLITAN GROUND SITE. i The site for the proposed new Auekj land University buildings wa.s discussed at a meeting of the Scenery ConservaItion Society yesterday, when the memjbers present were: Messrs. A. J. Allom (chairman), Josiah Martin, A. Bell. JSavaee, Cooper, J. W. Taylor, the Rev, Dr. Purchas. and Mr. P." Holt (secretary). Mr. C. J. Wilson wrote suggesting that the Society should do all in its power to induce Parliament and the Governor to resist the utilisation of the MetropoliItan Ground for the University. j Mr. Allom stated that Lord Ranfurly i assured him that efforts had been made ! for 25 years to filch the Metropolitan ] Grounds, which comprised an integral part of Government House grounds, but jthat he intended resisting it. Dr. Purchas spoke in favour of utilising Metropolitan Grounds for the University owing to its central position, and Mr. Martin reminded the members that 25 years ago Sir Maurice O'ltorke had brought forward the idea of using Government House as a university. The proposed site could, he added, be hardly regarded as an open space in the ordinary sense of the word. Mr. P. Holt remarked that while it ; was by no means indispensable that the university should be placed next to Government House, it was desirable that the Governor should have a residence in a central position. Mr. Bell suggested that a vote of citizens be taken on the subject, and the chairman then moved the following motion: ! 1 That the Auckland Scenery Conservation auwelV is Uuoi-ured that the Muyor uud CRy v-ouncil of Auckland, with others, who arc no douot actuated by the best in- ' tenuous, nave urged the Government to i mate provision tor the increasing needs Of r?tAUCA--and University uo.lege oy deaicat- !££ taa? poniou of Government House known as Metropolitan Ground as - rsi t" for university bui.aiugs in addition :to the existing site, which is conveniently 1 UU -^ U Tnat ooen areas or 'breathing spaces for' the convenience, health, and ryereauou of tut putuic have from time 'to time been : w.seiv 'reserved by the Governmeut. but mi > i .cietv reTeb* to observe that such ooner or later, become 11abe to attack from individuals or local authonUes whose object is to save money by appioyriating. without payment some■ portion of such areas to purposes not origiu--1 ally intended. . . ~ . ' -T That it is a matter notoriety that the Auckland Domain and the Albert Park •have been repeatedly liable to these .atI tacks which necessitate the utmost vigiI lance' on the part of the citizens in order I thit such attacks may be successfully re--1 sisted and defeated. . 1-i That the Metropolitan Ground (.-o called) being part of Government House i grounds is an open space, which, tor many i obvious reasons, should be specially pro- ! tected from such encroachments. The society. therefore, strongly urges upon the Premier and His Excellency the Governor that, in the interests of the emizens of Auck.and and the future inhabi- ! tants of a great and populous city, it is not desirable .that the Government should °-ive effect to the recommendation above i referred to of the Mayor and Council of i the City of Auckland. Mr. Taylor moved an amendment as follows: That in view of the fact ithat the Univer- ' sltv authorities require a new building near ! the city. and considering that such a bui-ld- ; Ing would be to the adornment of the city, •rhis society does not offer any protest against the University authorities acquiring 'the MetropoLrtan Ground for such » purj pose. i The discussion was adjourned imtfl [the next meeting.