NOT TO BE SOLD.

Auckland Star, Issue 265, 8 November 1929, Page 15

NOT TO BE SOLD.

PRIME MINISTER'S RESIDENCE

CABINET REVERSES DECISION.

By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter. WELLINGTON, this day.

Much opposition was expressed by members of Parliament earlier in the session when it was announced that the Government might dispose of the big ' wooden house at 260, Tinakori Road, Wellington, which for many years has been the official residence of Prime Ministers of New Zealand, and last night there were exclamations of satisfaction when the Acting-Leader of the House, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, said the Government had decided not to sell the residence. •

The Hon. W. Downie Stewart (Dunedin West) raised the question of the future of the Prime Minister's residence, reminding Mr. Forbes of a promise that a statement would be made to the House regarding the Government's intentions. Mr. Forbes replied that when the question was last before the House it was made abundantly clear that members were in favour of retaining the residence (hear, hear), and the Government had since decided to allow it to remain as a Ministerial residence.

At present the house the Transport Department, and some Ministers have apartments upstairs.

Sir Joseph Ward, who has a beautiful private home at Heretaunga, lives in a comfortable suite of rooms in the old wooden wing of Parliament Buildings.