FINE ARTS BLOCK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 206, 1 September 1936, Page 12

FINE ARTS BLOCK.

SITE IN THE DOMAIN.

SUPPORT BY MINISTER

COUNCILLORS' VIEWS VARY

A favourable attitude towards a proposal that a fine arts 'block should be erected on a site in .the Domain has been taken by the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Eraser, stated a report by the Mnvor, Mr. Ernest Davis, presented to the City Council last evening.

"The Minister stated that the suggestion (which had originated from the chairman of the council's library committee, Mr. X. V. Douglas) appealed to him, not because it might offer a way out of the present difficulty connected with the transfer of the old Grammar School site, but because of its intrinsic merit," said Mr. Davis. "He was in sympathy with the conception of the scheme and he was attracted to the idea of the fine arts centre being near the Museum and, as well, of its occupying so commanding a position as the Domain site woiild afford. Moreover, to his way of thinking, it would be an advantage to have such cultural amenities situated together."

The one outstanding point to he watched, however, was that the erection of a fine arts centre on the Domain site did not iii any way interfere with the architectural perfection of the Museum building, said the Mayor. The Minister emphasised that the Domain site was not offered as an alternative to the old Grammar School site, but he saifl he would like the council to give thought to the suggestion advanced. If the Grammar School site wore preferred, it would be made available on terms, in which connection there would be a question of finance to discuss.

"I did not find myself altogether in agreement with the viewpoint on the Domain site proposal expressed by the Minister, to whom I explained that I was rather impressed with the opinion of the deputy-Mayor, that if the Domain site were selected the fine arts centre would be adversely affected by the counter attraction of the Museum," concluded Mr. Davis. "At the same time I made it "clear that I did not wish to dogmatise on the matter. I promised Mr. Eraser that I would take steps to try to ascertain the feeling of the interested sections in Auckland on the Domain site proposal. The special subcommittee will be called together shortly to consider the question." Varied :views on the "suitability of a site in the Domfijn for a fine arts centre were expressed in a short discussion which folio,wed, opposition to the proposal being expressed by several speakers.

The Mayor's report was adopted.