Trust Welcomes Grant

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31943, 21 March 1969, Page 12

Trust Welcomes Grant

“The Canterbury regional committee of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust welcomes the decision of the Government to contribute $50,000 for the restoration of the wooden portion of the Provincial Council Buildings,” says a statement issued yesterday by the committee.

Approval of the Government's intention to place the land and buildings under the control of the existing Provincial Buildings Board is also expressed by the committee.

“The Government’s announcement appears to follow very closely the outline of the statement made by Mr R. M. MacFarlane, M.P., chairman of the local management committee more than year ago. “The regional committee has felt strongly that preservation of the whole complex was desirable and likewise that the time for transfer to the special authority set by statute some 40 years ago was already overdue,” says the statement. “While the regional committee has played its part in promoting public interest in the provincial buildings, its members have been also concerned to encourage a progressive policy at Government level. “To this end both Mr G. H. O. Wilson, chairman of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and the national secretary, Mr R. I. M. Burnett, made an inspection of the buildings last year and had a full discussion with members of the Canterbury regional committee. “This committee also believes that it is desirable to make an early review of the composition both of the Provincial Buildings Board and

of its local committee of management, all the members at present being members of Parliament. “In any recognition of the board, the regional committee believes that the New Zealand Historic Places Trust should be given representation. “The regional committee believes that a suitable reconstitution of the board might not only promote a fuller public recognition of the buildings as a memorial to the founders of Canterbury but also to assist in making these buildings a place for rediscovery of a sense of provincial identity,” the statement says.