New Court Building For City Contemplated

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30125, 8 May 1963, Page 16

New Court Building For City Contemplated

A building in Durham street large enough to accommodate both the Supreme Court and the Magistrate’s Court and provide one complete floor for the art gallery is being contemplated by the Justice Department, says the Wellington reporter of “The Press.” The building would be of three or four storeys. “This is all in the very early stages,” said the Secretary of Justice (Dr. J. L. Robson) yesterday afternoon. “Neither the Minister of Justice nor the Cabinet works committee has heard of it yet. It is just an idea which we have been discussing with the interested authorities.”

Dr. Robson Mid that he visited Christchucb a fortn;gtM ago and examined the proposal. The suggested site faced Durham street between the existing Magistrate’s Court and Supreme Court buildings. The idea was for the Supreme Court to be located on the ground floor and the Magistrate's Court on another floor, each having a separate entrance. One of the remaining floors would become the art gallery There would probably also be accommodation for other courts and offices. Dr. Robson said he had discussed the matter with the art gallery authorities. The existing art gallery > building would be taken over for administration offices. He could give no indication of when the proposal would be before the Cabinet, but added: "We in the Justice Department are anxious to provide Christchurch with new court facilities as soon as possible.” Judge's Reference Reference to the possibility of a new building was made by Mr Justice Macarthur at the opening of the Supreme Court session yesterday The extreme shortage of courtroom and other accom-

modation was brought out very forcibly by the recent visit to Christchurch of four extra judges, he said. His Honour referred to the lack of rooms which could conveniently accommodate a Jury, and the shortage of rooms for use by relieving judges. "The plain fact is that the court accommodation available is not sufficient for the extent of the litigation now being handled by this registry,” said his Honour. It was more than likely that the solution would be found in the erection of a new building between the two existing courts, and fronting Durham street, his Honour said. Arts Society’s View Mr Stewart Mair, chairman of the finance committee of the Canterbury Society of Arts, said last night that the society’s council had approved the scheme in principle. Before a final decision could be reached, however, many details would need to be decided satisfactorily, and final approval must be obtained from a general meeting of members of the society. he said. Discussions were proceeding with Dr. Robson and

other officers of the department about the society’s property and gallery. The discussions so far had been purely tentative, Mr Mair said. “The council is anxious not only to occupy modern premises suitable for its activities In the future, but also to co-operate in any scheme for the advancement of the city and its important buildings,” said Mr Mair. “It is realised that the present gallery is inadequate.” The Canterbury Society of Arts was formed in 1880, and the title to the land on which the gallery is built was issued in January, 1896.