SIGN OF THE KIWI

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26662, 22 February 1952, Page 6

SIGN OF THE KIWI

INSPECTION BY CITY COUNCIL

SERIOUS VANDALISM SEEN

The Sign of the Kiwi, at the head of Dyer’s Pass overlooking both the Canterbury plains and Lyttelton Harbour, and the Sign of the Bellbird, about three miles further along the southern summit road, may be available for the enjoyment of the public as rest houses on the Port Hills within two years if the City Council can resolve difficulties in their restoration and supervision.

Many members of the City Council inspected both buildings yesterday afternoon to gain first-hand knowledge in preparation for discussions in the next few weeks. The inspection was arranged by the reserves committee, which invited other councillors to accompany them. The keen concern about the present state of the buildings was shown by half the council attending.

“I knew the vandalism was bad, but it exceeds even my worst expectations,” said Cr M. B. Howard, M.P., chairman of the reserves committee, standing amid piles of broken glass in the main room of the Sign of the Kiwi. Not a fragment of glass remains in any of the windows of the building. Metal frames remain intact, but wooden ones have been torn in many places. The solution appeared to be putting in windows without glass, remarked Cr. L. G. Amos.

Much of the iron has been torn off the roof and councillors did not think this was storm damage as two sound sheets had been stacked near the road way in the last few days, apparently in readiness for unauthorised removal. Holes left in the roof have admitted rain, which has rotted flooring in the back room. .The hardboard ceiling panels have been’ ripped and linings have been defaced. Only the thick stone walls and the heavy beams about the porch have escaped damage. The council could now see the price of procrastination, said Cr. C. D. W, L. Sheppard. All present agreed that when restoration was effected, strict vigilance against vandalism must be ensured by permanent residents.

1 Restoration Proposals The council is considering implementing recommendations to provide modest living quarters at the rear of the Sign of the Kiwi and a shop for the sale of ice creams, bottled drinks, and wrapped confectionery. Health requirements make the reopening of tea rooms difficult at present. Water supply is the main problem, and council opinion at present favours pumping water from Victoria Park instead of piping from springs below Sugar Loaf Peak which may fail in bad weather. The total cost of all work required is estimated at £5OOO.

The Sign of the Bellbird, much of which is timber lined, has also been damaged, but councillors thought its reconstruction might be easier than the Sign of the Kiwi. Much of the material is m fair order. At one stage it was suggested that this rest house might be demolished and material salvaged to repair and extend the Sign of the Kiwi Yesterday the City Council party considered that that building was too attractive to be demolished, although members agreed that the absence of electricity, an assured water supply and other amenities and doubts about its steady appeal to visitors made the abk mS ° f any kind ° f kiosk 9 uestion -

. Instead it is likely that youth organisations. such as the Youth Hostel Association, tramping clubs, church groups, and others, may be invited to a conference to consider whether they would repair and supervise the building if the council gave assistance. Some councillors thought that as a base for tramping parties or a retreat for clubs the situation would be ideal Everyone commented on the vision and tenacity of Mr H. G. Ell in estabsnmc the chain of rest houses in such attractive settings and agreed that Christchurch should not neglect them any longer.