FERRY BUILDING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 232, 30 September 1936, Page 18

FERRY BUILDING.

. " NOT ASSET TO PORT.' ■ HARBOUR BOARD VIEWS. ENGINEER TO REPORT. The Ferry Building, which has stood in Quay Street for so many years that ; Aucklanders have begun to regard it as an institution, is, in the opinion of the Auckland Harbour Board, scarcely an asset to the waterfront, and at yesterday's meeting there was some discussion regarding its future. Built in 1009. the building is now considered rather out of date and in view of the fact that 14 of the 00 offices available are vacant the board's engineer is to make an inspection ancl report on the matter. The chairman, Mr. C. G. Macindoe, remarked that it was a great pity that the building was ever erected as it was certainly not an asset to the port. "It obstructs the view, does not show a sufficient return for the capital expended, ir> out of the 'busy' business area and contains many vacant offices," he said. "Reports show that the building is cold, and in my opinion, it would enhance the appearance of the waterfront if it were taken away." A Member: Would you give it away? Mr. Macindoe: Yes. The acting secretary reported that the cost of heating the buifding on the street side precluded that . method of popularising the vacant offices. "Something should be done, but I don't think that the building should be pulled down," said Mr. H. Luke. "Why not get a report from the engineer as to how it can be popularised." Mr. D. Hcldcrness, acting-euperintend-ant of the board, said the question had by no means been overlooked. The building was giving a return and he had various ideas in mind to make it more attractive. The lift, for instance, was draughty and unattractive and gave the building an unhealthy aspect. The matter was left in abeyance until 1 the engineer has made an inspection.