ART CENTRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 65, 17 March 1936, Page 10

ART CENTRE.

POINTS AT ISSUE.

OLD GRAMMAR SCHOOL SITE.

proposals before minister.

Poipts at .issue in connection with the establishment of a fine arts centre on the old Grammar School site were placed before the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, yesterday by the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis. Members of the City Council library committee were present as, well as Mr, C. J. Tunks, chairman of the Elani School of Art board of managers. The Mayor said the council was anxious that tlie completion of its fine arts centre project should be effected without delay. The council was ready to go ahead with its programme if the old Grammar School site was handed over to it, provision having been made in the loan estimates for an expenditure on the work of £ 100,000. Auckland University Council, originator of die combined scheme, was unable owing to lack of funds, to assume responsibility tor the financial obligations involved, but hoped that the scheme adopted would permit it later on to place its building requirements on the site. As far as the Elain School of Art was concerned, said the Mayor, the council would be prepared to contribute towards the provision of reasonable accommodation. In addition to other considerations which its prosecution the work was unquestionably an economic desirability. He asked that legislation vesting the site in the Auckland City Council be passed during the coming session of Parliament. ihe necessary stipulations could be made as to the accommodation of the_ Elam School of Art and future participation of the Auckland University College. The origin of the scheme was detailed by Mr. Davis and he handed the Minis ter a comprehensive memorandum dealing with various aspects. ho question of providing a new building for the e y ei "- increasing art collections of the city had been under consideration since 1923, when the first definite proposal to erect a new building to fulfil the needs of the institution was advanced. The decision to erect a new building was not dictated solely by the needs of the art gallery, said the Mayor. The public library, which occupied part of the same buildinffi was in similar straits to the Art Gallery. Lack of space for readers books and staff had seriously affected the progress of this department and complaints had been common for years about the unsatisfactory conditions under which the work of the library had to be conducted.

It had been decided that a new building -.vas necessary for one of these departments, and investigation showed that the "library could more economically and effectively make use of the present building than the Art Gallery, and therefore a new building should be obtained for the Art Gallery. The estimate of the cost for the initial project was £120,000, with a further £70,000 required. to carry the scheme to completion. .The suggested apportionment of this cost^wasi; City Council, £80,000; School of Art, £26,666; and University, £13,333. Every Sympathy. "We consider that the educational amenities which have been provided and are being provided in several directions of the metropolitan area arc already beyond the confines of our strict duty in this connection," the Mayor. "In our opinion the question of accommodation for the Elam School of Art is one for the Education Department. It is a point which has been brought into our considerations at a comparatively recent date. I wish to make it clear, however, that we have every sympathy with the Elani School of Art and desire to help, flie" whole question, to our way of thinking, is overdue for settlement.- Accordingly we trust that you will sco our point _of view and have the necessary legislation passed during the forthcoming session of Parliament. If this is not done, we will have no alternative but to seek another solution ot the problem. Should the Government make it a condition precedent that we should contribute'. to the Elam School of Art, we feel that the Auckland City Council would- not agree to contribute anything like the sum of £20,000 which has been mentioned Wo feci that in equity no per T son has the right to suggest that we should." Mr. Tunks said that if the Elam School of Art were not to be housed on the site the Education Department would have to find some other one. The school had no funds for that purpose. Value of Land. The Minister said the ground was educational, and could not be given without some equivalent. The City Council could not take over the ground for nothing. He asked what was the value of the site. •The Mayor: .About £18,000. Mr. Eraser said that figure would have to be taken as a basis, and probably that money could be made available for the Elam School of Art. He was anxious f o assist, as were previous Ministers. A spirit of co-operation \Jiad been shown. The site was convenient and accessible, and it was now a question of getting down to a proper understanding whereby the school of art could be provided with the accommodation required. The Mayor suggested that the Minister should send an officer to Auckland to work out the details of an agreement. It was' not business to have matters hanging over for years. The Minister: We will do that. Later Mr. Fraser said that a big view of the question had to be taken. : Miss Melville said it was not proposed in earlier discussions that the city should pay for the site. Tin? Minister said the site was for education, and could not be handed over to anybody. The Elam School of Art was an educational institution. It was in the only place in which it could carry on. That provision must be made. The City Council would have to shoulder the responsibility. Miss Melville: The council has no re-j sponsibility; ! Mr. Fraser: Then it will have to get another site. In reply to further argument Mr. Fraser said that for a city like Auckland the amount mentioned was verv small. * When Miss Melville suggested that the Government might find the cost Mr Fraser said he did not think the councii should look to the Government for something it could do itself. He looked forward to seeing a splendid art gallery ! The conference concluded on tlie understanding that an officer of the Education Department would come to Auckland with a view to bringing about i an equitable arrangement between the I parties. |