The Press WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 1958. Town Hall Site

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28551, 2 April 1958, Page 12

The Press WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 1958. Town Hall Site

Civic planning in Christchurch, as in other cities, has sometimes taken too little heed of future requirements. This cannot be said of the City Council’s decision on Monday to reaffirm its choice of the library block in Cambridge terrace as the site for a Christchurch Town Hall For its careful study of the question, the council deserves the thanks of citizens. It has accepted the advice of experts who thoroughly investigated the possible sites for the town hall and assessed their suitability in the light of probable development. The way is now open for more definite progress towards planning essential amenities and raising the money for them. Nothing can now be gained by repining about the long delay in building a town hall worthy of the city, or earlier indecision on the site. All sections of the community should support the campaign for fun ’-; organised by Town Hall Promotion, Incorporated. Tn reaching its decision, the council was guided by a report prepared at its request in 1955 by the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. This report ex-

amined in detail the characteristics and merits of the three principal sites suggested—the present council site, the “ Limes ’’ block, and the library block. It made out an unassailable case in favour of the library block, which has potentialities far outweighing those of its rivals. In addition to providing adequate space for municipal offices and parking as well as a town hall, the site has historic associations which make it specially appropriate, and tremendous possibilities for aesthetic development. All the buildings that will need to be removed are old wooden structures, the useful life of which would in any case be limited. The Canterbury Club is, naturally, dismayed at the .prospect of moving from its premises at the corner of Worcester street The club is entitled to fair compensation for the loss of its oroperty. City councillors were, however, surely justified in their belief that its members will not wish to impede progress on an admirably-conceived scheme to benefit the entire city. These considerations should provide •he basis for a reasonable settlement between the council and the club.