SIGN OF THE BELLBIRD

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26058, 10 March 1950, Page 10

SIGN OF THE BELLBIRD

Sir, —I was deeply shocked to learn that the council intends to demolish the Sign of the Bgllbird. What would Ell have said? What says the Civic Beautification Advisory Committee? How many councillors are capable of judging the architectural merits of such a building? How mapy have even seen it? Christchurch is not rich in architecture, yet this building, the perfect example of what might be called Port Hills vernacular architecture. one of the few buildings in Christchurch which one can show to overseas visitors without apologies, one which in its own small way is as perfectly suited to its site as Frank Lloyd Wright’s house “Falling Water” or the Abbey of Mont St. Michel in Brittany, is to be demolished, used as a stone quarry, in order to facilitate doubtful improvements to a poorer building on a more frequented road. There is no vandalism like the vandalism of authority.—Yours, etc., BRUCE GODWARD. Oberwiesenstr. 10. Zurich, Switzerland, February 15, 1950. [The Acting Town Clerk (Mr C. D. Bowie) said: “The Sign of the Bell-" bird may have aesthetic architectural features. But as a hygienic building it lias little to commend it and to conform to the requirements of the Health Act it would be necessary to carry ovt alterations to the building which would involve an expenditure of several thousand pounds. The reserv' on which this building stands has just recently come under the control of the Christchurch City and Suburban Domain Board, which consists of members of the City Council.”]

STATE OF THE CITY Sir,—This is Centennial year and one would think the Christchurch roads had not teen touched for that period. As a visitor and car owner, I am appalled by your roads. Cannot some special effort to resurface be made this year? Years ago the chains were removed from the Godley plot, ..could ! they not be replaced and the grass re--1 sown? Even a notice “Keep off the i grass” might help. Such matters as these and the appearance of your trams can make or mar a visitors first impressions. Why not appoint a committee of former Christchurch men now in other towns to point out things which hit the stranger but are accepted and unnoticed by the local resident? Wishing the city well.—Yours, etc., FORMERLY OF . CHRISTCHURCH. Ashburton, February 27, 1950. [When this letter was referred to him, the Director of Parks and Reserves (Mr M. J. Barnett) said: “A portion of the original Godley Plot was enclosed with heavy iron railings which were an eyesore. ‘Keep off the grass’ notices have been tried, but these quickly disappeared. A report on the Godley Plot will be presented to the council at an early date.’]