WAVE OF CONFIDENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 279, 24 November 1928, Page 10

WAVE OF CONFIDENCE.

FOLLOWS THE ELECTION.

RENEWED BUILDING ACTIVITY CHRISTCHURCH WAKING UP. (By Telegraph—Special to "Star.") CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Three new buildings, two in Hereford Street and one in Manchester Street, are' being completed in the Christchurch business area. A palatial garage is to-be built at the triangle at the intersection of Victoria and Durham Streets, a new building is to be erected shortly on the triangle facing High Street, and two new theatres, one at the Royal Exchange Buildings, Cathedral Square, and one opposite the Clock Tower, are to be : started next year. Alterations will be made to the Queen's Theatre in Hereford Street, and several other comprehensive alterations and buildings are contemplated.

That better times in building were; coming, and that the change in Government would result in greater confidence and, consequently, greater progress, •were the opinions expressed to a "Star" reporter to-day- by Mr. George Simpson, president of the Canterbury Builders' Association.

"There should soon bo a rapid development in commercial building construction in the city, and there is plenty of room for such development," said Mr. Simpson. "The new buildings, and contemplated buildings now under way, all indicate that Christchurch is at last awakening from the building stagnation that it has been in" for the last few years. The big property deals that have taken place lately also indicate development in the near future.

"Things have been very uncertain in the commercial world lately, and progress has therefore been retarded," said Mr. Simpson, "but the new Government should create confidence, and a rapid progress in the commercial world can be expected very shortly. Christchurch should soon make up some of the leeway to Wellington and Auckland, whose building construction has left Christchurch far behind.

"Business people in the city are at last realising that Christchurch is a safe place to invest money for commercial buildings." Mr. Simpson stated that the reasons for the great progress in Wellington and Auckland were that the former was the capital city and that Aucklands remarkable progress and development during the past few years had naturally resulted in increased building construction the business area of the city. '• ' ■■:-■■