CATHEDRAL IN SYDNEY.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20919, 28 July 1933, Page 12

CATHEDRAL IN SYDNEY.

♦ NEGOTIATIONS FOR NEW SITE. COSTLY BUILDING PLANNED. (ntcm oue owu comuebpondbht.) SYDNEY, July 20. Sydney is for ever changing. A problem now facing a special subcommittee of the State Cabinet is to find a new site for the Anglican Cathedral, the giory of which is now hidden on a site alongside the Town Hall in George street. St. Andrew's was once the centre of a residential quarter, but now few persons live within miles of it, and the congregations have dwindled, and the old church itself has lost most of its dignity. For several years now its architectural beauty has not been visible because of an ugly high fence erected to protect the city railway works. Successive Governments have treated the property as though it were a public playground, and the resumption of 10 feet of its frontage is the latest outrage. It is clear to everyone now that the church must be rebuilt on a more suitable site, and the call has gone to the Government to provide that site, the valuable area where the present cathedral stands being given in exchange. The church authorities are anxious to secure the old mint site in Macquarie street, beside the Sydney Hospital, and a year ago this was within their grasp—and £500,000 besides. The former Labour Premier (Mr Lang) unexpectedly proved to be the champion of the church, but almost as soon as his offer had been accepted and the agreements signed, he went out of office, leaving the agreement, which needed Parliamentary sanction, as legacy for the new Government. Nothing was done, but the whole matter has now been revived, with the prospect of finality. New Site Suggested. Representatives of the present Government have suggested to the church that the site of the Conservatorium of Music would be ideal for the cathedral, but the church thinks otherwise, and has insisted upon securing the mint site. The discussions have now gone much further. Parliament House in Macquarie street is old and dilapidated. White ants have eaten away many of the supports, and the building generally is in a sad state of disrepair. It is therefore proposed that the present Government House, picturesquely situated on the shores of the harbour, should be converted into a Parliament House, and that the Governor should be transferred to the stately pile across the harbour known as Admiralty House, which for years was the home of the Governor-General when he visited Sydney. The cathedral could then have the existing Parliament House site, which is not far removed from the mint site, and which would be satisfactory. It is said that the Anglicans intend to build a cathedral in Sydney which would cost £1,000,000. It is difficult to understand where so much money would come from these times, but it is recognised that the structure must be worthy of the city.