AMBITIOUS SCHEME.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18672, 22 April 1926, Page 8

AMBITIOUS SCHEME.

♦ NEW CIVIC CENTRE AT AUCKLAND. (IT.ESS ASSOCIATION TELEOBAU.) AUCKLAND, April 21. A special committee of the City Council has prepared an entirely n -v scheme for a civic centre on the crown of the hill in Princes street, utilising a portion of Albert Park and other cityowned lands, whilo using the vacant area in Queen Btreet, known as the civic square, for revenue purposes to finance the scheme, which involves an estimated expenditure of about £1,000,000. This includes a large sum for leases on Princes street. On tho frontage of Park street, opposite tho new arts building of the University College, it is proposed to build a spacious art gallery and a municipal, administrative block. It is understood that thcro will bo no diminution of the park area, so this part of the scheme would meet tho city's needs for several years to come, but the complete scheme contemplates the acquisition of a property on the eastern side of Princes street, and tho erection of a large building containing a huge town hall and a suite of smaller halls, and a wide open space would be provided for great gatherings of citizens, the lawns and gardens being really an extension of Albert Park.