CHRISTCHURCH AND ITS PEOPLE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29076, 12 December 1959, Page 15

CHRISTCHURCH AND ITS PEOPLE

Address By Miss Northcroft

“What sort of town is Christchurch? What sort of town would you like it to be?” These questions were put by Miss Nancy Northcroft, Regional Planning Officer, to pupils of the Linwood High School at their prize-giving ceremony, yesterday. “We know that the city of Christchurch, within the city council’s district, is the largest local authority in New Zealand,” said Miss Northcroft. “It has more land and more people in it than any other city. We also have the first, the biggest, and undoubtedly, the best civil airport in the country. “We do not have a harbour bridge, but we already have one hole in tjie hills, and it may not be long before we have another. So we have both a seaport and an international airport, which makes us an important link in New Zealand’s trade routes.” Christchurch also ranked second as an industrial centre, said Miss Northcroft. “On the other side of the picture there is a dead flat city without any geographical features to give it naturally any particular character,” said Miss Northcroft. “Christchurch is a city that is lovely in parts, but there are other sections to which citizens metaphorically close their eyes.

“I have asked you what sort of town you would like Christchurch to be because it won't be long before you are among its builders and makers. “Cities are what we make them. Nothing, perhaps, is quite so man-made as our towns. They stand as monuments, expressing in their outward form what their citizens have believed in and what they value most,” Miss Northcroft said. The chidren would leave a monument for those who followed. “What sort of monument will it be?” she asked.