OLD MILL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 173, 23 July 1936, Page 11

OLD MILL.

FIRE STATION SITE.

OWNER'S OBJECTIONS

OUTSTANDING LANDMARK,

The suggestion made that the old windmill site, near the junction of Karangaliape Road and Symonds Street, should be acquired for the new headquarters of the Auckland Fire Brigade is strongly opposed by Mr. J. Partington, of the Victoria 'Flour Mills, who said to-day that he was definitely opposed to selling any of his land in that area, and that no money would tempt him to .sell any of his property, particularly the old mill. He regards the old mill as the most outstanding landmark of the city of Auckland, and feels that it should be preserved as such. He has a very strong sentimental feeling for this mill, and feels that the people of Auckland generally would support him in his opposition "to the taking of the site for a fire station or any other purpose.

Mr. Partington said that even if the Fire Board undertook to preserve the mill, it would be only a matter of time before it would be put to commercial uses, and in course of time, probably removed or radically altered. It had already been suggested that the old mill would serve as a fine look-out for the purpose of the Fire Brigade. Tt was easy to see. therefore, that its nature would soon be changed, and that before long the mill would bo lost to the people of Auckland.

Another point Mr. Partington raised was that in his opinion the site was nuite unsuitable. On one side there was Karangaliape Road, on another side Svmonds Street, with the Grafton Bridge close at hand. The traffic on those arterial roads was so great that the presence of fire engines would be a nositive danger to motorists and pedestrians.