CHANGING SKYLINE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 77, 31 March 1928, Page 11

CHANGING SKYLINE.

CITY'S BUILDING PROGRESS. jjfUKX (IICCE CHRISTMAS. mant works in hand.

Auckland's skyline is steadily changing. With the progress of rebuilding Queen Street's footpath is reduced to a acant couple of yards in front of sites that have been swept clear of old-type buildings; and in behind the wooden barricades deep excavations are made for business premises of the modern type. At three points on the eastern side of Queen Street, between Vulcan Lane and Victoria Street, building schemes under way. At other points buildings on even a larger scale are a sign of the growing city. Out in the suburbs there are similar indications— though transport troubles are reported, to be cramping the general movement.

On the basis of estima + ed cost the quarter that ends to-day shows an increased expenditure upon new building* to the extent of more than £44,000, »s compared with the first three months of last year. The respective figures are:— 1928. 1027. £ £ January 68.051 53,203 February 211.809 112,105 March 08.817 160,248 Total .... £378,677 £ 334,646

How marked the fluctuations are from month to month is indicated by the fact that February of this year had a larger total than January and Mar«'i together, *nd the month just passing makes rather a poor showing again March last year. That progress continues unchecked is, however, sufficiently emphasised by the number of new city buildings put in hand since the beginning of January, among the post prominent being the Salvation Army's Congress hall, in Grey's Avenue, £15,500; Vulcan buildings, at the corner of Vulcan Lane and Queen Street, £25,500; oil stores and tanks in Beaumont Street, Freeman's Bay, £13,700; Kean's buildings, Queen Street, £10,100; N.Z. Milk Products Co.'s premises in Cleveland Road, £38,576; Smith and Caughey's new block in Welleeley Street West, £54,751; additions to the Auckland Harbour Board's administrative block in Quay Street, £7400; and a new building for the Ancient Order of Foresters, In Wellesley Street, £15,000.