Use Of ‘Mona Vale’ By Governor

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31771, 30 August 1968, Page 5

Use Of ‘Mona Vale’ By Governor

The Christchurch City Council had given preliminary consideration to the use of "Mona Vale” as a residence for the GovernorGeneral (Sir Arthur Porritt) If he wished to spend a short period in Christchurch in the next six months, said Cr H. P. Smith, chairman of the council’s finance committee.

Cr Smith was commenting on a report that the council was studying the possibility of preparing “Mona Vale” as a Vice-Regal residence. “There is no intention to depart from the original plan under which ‘Mona Vale’ is open to all. If it is used as a residence for the GovernorGeneral it would be on a single occasion. “No firm decision has been made on the use of the house permanently. But I know it is the opinion of a number of councillors that it should be made available to the people of Christchurch for all kinds of functions. “If the house were reappointed for these purposes it would not again be available as a Vice-Regal residence,” said Cr Smith.

He was commenting on a letter to the editor of “The Press” by a correspondent, “Pooh Sticks,” who wrote:

“It has come to my notice indirectly that, the Christchurch City Council is Studying the possibility of preparing ‘Mona Vale’ as a Vice-Regal residence. I wonder if the reaction of the other citizens who contributed to the Christchurch Civic Trust’s campaign to raise money to buy ‘Mona Vale’ is as shocked as my own. I notice in re-reading my ‘Certificate of Land Grant,’

that “the benefactor shall henceforth in perpetuity enjoy the privilege of occupation and use, in common with the citizens of Christchurch, of the parcel of land described in the schedule hereto and delineated in the official plan during the pleasure of the Christchurch Civic Trust to the exclusion of all other persons save and except the inhabitants of and visitors to the province of Canterbury.’ Certainly the Governor - General (bless him) comes in this category, but one foresees the exclusion of other citizens. I would be interested to hear Mr John Oakley’s reaction to this suggestion.” “Legal complications are temporarily holding up the transfer of the house to the city but even then it will take some months before the grounds can be permanently opened to the public,” said the chairman of the Christchurch Civic Trust (Mr J. Oakley) to whom the correspondent’s letter was also referred. “In the meantime, this is a splendid opportunity for ‘Mona Vale’ to be used as a Vice-Regal residence for the month our Governor-General will spend in the city during his term,” he said. “‘Pooh Sticks’ and others who have expressed their concern can rest assured that ‘Mona Vale* will belong to the people. But how gratifying to all ‘section owners’ to know that it is only due to our efforts that our distinguished guest (bless him) may have the privilege of living in ‘Mona Vale’ on this one occasion. Only the best is good enough for him—and we so very nearly lost it,” said Mr Oakley.