Early Consultation On Courts Imperative

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32017, 18 June 1969, Page 16

Early Consultation On Courts Imperative

The Christchurch City Council is quite properly asking the Minister of Justice, Mr Hanan, for an early opportunity to see the drawings for the new Christchurch Court buildings. The Mayor spoke well for Christchurch when he told the council on Monday evening: “ We won’t allow the Government to put up “ a building that does not conform with the principles “ and ideals of the civic centre scheme ”. Unfamiliar, perhaps, with such an outright challenge of the State’s right to do what it chooses with its property, some councillors seemed to be alarmed by the prospect of a debate over the plans delaying the long-awaited building. The new building has already been delayed for several decades; and it would be unfortunate if ill-informed criticism resulted in delay. But if well-informed criticism ensures that the building does justice to the site and to the neighbouring buildings, which are destined to be the civic heart of Christchurch, some further delay would be a very small price to pay.

Delay will in fact be kept to a minimum if the Justice Department gives the City Council the opportunity to make submissions on the scheme at the earliest possible stage of the planning. Last month, replying to a letter to the editor, the Commissioner of Works said that the Court building would encroach upon the bank of the Avon River “ to the “ minimum possible extent ”. The Ministry’s principle is excellent; but councillors should be as concerned as our correspondent to learn to what extent the building will spread across the site and curtail the gracious sweep of trees and lawns along the • river bank. This vista is at the heart of the planning for the town hall and civic centre and it should be protected at all costs.

Mr Hanan and the Secretary for Justice, Dr J. L. Robson, have said that the Civic Trust and other bodies in Christchurch may see the plans when “functional requirements” have been established. This is a fair proposal. The site is large enough to allow the architects sufficient flexibility in planning the building; and it should not be difficult for them to harmonise the “functional requirements” with the architecture and landscape of the civic centre. The earlier the consultations between the council and the State departments the less time and effort will be wasted.