"THEIR CHILDREN SHALL SEE IT, AND BE GLAD."

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17608, 10 November 1922, Page 15

"THEIR CHILDREN SHALL SEE IT, AND BE GLAD."

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE PRESS." Sir,—The removal of an old building from the eastern frontage of Christ's College reveals the hitherto unappreciated value, from an aesthetic standpoint, of this historic school site.. Is it permissible to suggest that the school authorities consider the practicability of preserving to the school, and the public, this pleasing prospect of buildings which unquestionably possess unusual artistic distinction? Assuming that the authorities are acting directly, or indirectly, as trustees for the public, it behoves the latter to interest itself sufficiently to secure the utmost resthetic value from the site, and, above all, to assure itself that the site will not be dealt with in a manner unworthy of the charm of its academic environment? It is commonly understood that the frontage' on the eastern side of Rolleston avenue, between Worcester and Gloucester streets, belongs to Canterbury College. If the authorities having control over these frontages are determined, as : is alleged, upon a common policy of utilisng for stone and mortar the uttermost measure of their respective areas, the public may anticipate, in the very centre of this beautiful avenue, two opposite rows of building about "one chain apart, affording an architectural effect which will vie, for commonplace in unattractiveness, with any mid-city street perspective. Given, however, the open frontage and quadrangle of Christ's College on the west, and a spacious design for the permanent grounds and buildings of the University on the east, this portion of Rolleston avenue might form, perhaps, the most attractive feature of the educational centre of Canterbury.. Tour correspondent, by your kind indulgence, wishes to suggest that the authorities of : .Ijhe institutions concerned appoint each a sub-committee to meet and discuss the matter from every standpoint, and in a manner unsympathetic toward the form of conservatism and exclusiveness, which too often finds expression in immured interiors and corrugated metal fences.— Yours, etc., . / PASSER-BY. Christchurch, November 10th.