PLANS FOE NEW LAW COURTS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21905, 5 October 1936, Page 10

PLANS FOE NEW LAW COURTS

PREPARATION BEGUN LAY-OUT OF GROUNDS TO BE CONSIDERED The provision of new court buildings for Christchurch will not be merely a matter of alterations and additions to the existing buildings, A completely new modern building, designed to give the maximum facilities for carrying out the work of the courts, is to be erected, and plans for this ate already being prepared by the; Governmert. This was the substance of a statement inade in Christchurch on Saturday by the Minister for Indfistries and Commerce (the Hon. D, G. Sullivan). Mr Sullivan said that he had noticed newspaper reports containing protests by ; the Christchurch Beautifying Association against encroachment on the lawns in front of the present law courts. The Minister for. Justice had considered altering and adding to the buildings, but this would involve conforming to the existing architecture and restricting the scope of the extensions.

- Mr Sullivan said that at present the court facilities were not only hopelessly inadequate, but the administrative rooms were cramped, ill-lit, and inconvenient, “The Minister for Justice holds the view, with which I entirely agree,” he added, “that the courts of justice, without being unduly palatial or lavish, should be a central civic feature of gny city and be a building worthy of the purpose for which it stands. “The plans so far developed provide for a building of which I think the citizens of Christchurch will have cause to be justly proud, and the public can be assured that due regard is being had for the architectural layout of the grounds.” DEMOLITION OF PRESENT BUILDINGS WORK TO BEGIN SOON AFTER CHRISTMAS It is likely that the work-of demolishing the present Magistrate's Court and Supreme Court buildings in Christchurch will be commenced soon after Christmas in preparation for the erection of the new court buildings, according to Mr E, J. Howard, M.P., whc was shown the plans by the Attorney-General (the Hon. H. G. E. Mason) in Wellington. Mr Howard said that Mr Mason had told him that the work, for which £40,000 is provided in the estimates, would definitely be started this financial year. The new building would be built over the ground how occupied by the Supreme Court and its offices, the Magistrate's Court, and the old Art Gallery, in Durham street. The buildings would be of two storeys, and would have six courtrooms on the upper floor, and various offices, lawyers’ rooms, and waiting rooms on the ground floor. The entrance would be from Durham street so that'it would not be necessary, as at present in the Magistrate’s Court, for those entering the court to pass through the administrative offices. With all the courts under one roof rhere should be a minimum of trouble for those attending. People often went into; the wrong-room in the present Magistrate’s Court, but with distinct and separate rooms for the Supreme Court, police, debt, maintenance, traffic, and other .departments, there would be no room for error. Although the plans as Mr Howard saw'them were not yet complete, and details of the interior and exterior decorative schemes • were not shown, it was evident, he said, that the buildings would be in a pleasing modern style, providing a sharp contrast to the ’Gothic architecture. The present buildings impressed even the innocent with a feeling of guilt, but there would:be none of that in the new buildings. They would be palatial, if the plans he saw were any indication. BARGAIN TEA ~ETS. . Draytons are selling Best English China Tea Sets Willow Pattern, suitable for six persons, only 19/11 set. Lowest prices in Christchurch. Try Draytons, cr. Manchester and Lichfield streets, also 765 Colombo street. D 3244