PROVINCIAL BUILDINGS Restoration Might Cost $l00,000

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31835, 13 November 1968, Page 40

PROVINCIAL BUILDINGS Restoration Might Cost $l00,000

(Prom Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, November 12.

The scheme for restoring the Canterbury Provincial Buildings as a complete entity at a cost of $lOO,OOO or more is to be prepared for placing before the Government. This was the major decision made by the annual general meeting of the Canterbury Provincial Buildings Board today.

A detailed report prepared by the Ministry of Works was considered by the meeting. The report stated that complete restoration could be achieved for about $lOO,OOO.

The Ministry of Works team pointed out, however, that more than half of this amount would be needed for wdrk “on that part of the buildings not under the board’s control.”

This is the portion fronting Armagh Street which is at present used by the Justice Department. During discussion at the meeting, it was decided that the buildings should he treated as an entity, and that restoration plans should include the whole complex, not merely the portion under the board’s control. Asked about this after the meeting, the Minister of Lands (Mr Maclntyre) who acted as chairman, said:

“While only that part of the j buildings under the board’s i control is held as a memorial for the Province of Canterbury, the board considers that , the whole complex in fact forms this memorial. For this ! reason it feels there should be

I local participation in the reI storation" Full Submission A ftdl submission outlining the finding of the Ministry of Works and the board’s view will be prepared for submission to the Government. When a reply to this is received, the hoard will meet again on the spot in Christchurch. In terms of the act, a committee of seven local members i of Parliament was elected tol i manage that portion of the I buildings which is in GovernI ment control. This committee comprises:! Messrs R. M. Macfarlane I (Lab.. Christchurch Central).! J. Mathison (Lab., Avon), M. I A. Connelly (Lab., Riccarton).! (E. S. F. Holland (Nat.. Fen-| dalton). H, E. L. Pickering , (Nat.. Rangiora). C. C. A. Mei Lachlan (Nat., Selwyn), and |H. J. Walker (Nat.. St! : Albans).