Bishopscourt

Press, 11 March 1983, Page 16

Bishopscourt

Sir, — In the discussion about the fate of Bishopscourt there has, to our knowledge, been no mention of where future bishops are to live. Will another property be bought or another residence built? What other house in Christchurch is suitable for housing a bishop — or indeed, an archbishop — or for entertaining visiting church dignitaries from overseas? Bishopscourt was funded and built for the incumbents of the office. Has any bishop, or have the church authorities of any particular time, the right to dispose of a Krty that was funded and inti as a permanent residence? As for the point that the house is not "historic” - the Cathedral itself was not “historic” 50 years after it was built. There is no other residence in Christchurch to compare with Bishopscourt and its setting in scale, beauty, and the architerctural perfection of its type. It is part of the all-too-meagre heritage our city possesses and, as such, should surely be preserved in its entirety. — Yours, etc., RUTH W. HENDRY. JOHN A. HENDRY. March 7, 1983.

Sir, — Much of the anger and anguish of Anglicans regarding the fate of Bishopscourt stems from the failure of the Church authorities to inform them of financial problems or plans to overcome them. Despite assertions to the contrary by correspondents, congregations at parish level were not alerted to any imminent crisis or called upon to help resolve it. Moreover, Church Property Trustees in their earlier application to convert Bishopscourt into a diocesan centre were in essence requesting a permit for a commercial use. though they must have known that could not be granted in a

residential zone. In recent decades, citizens of vision have laboured against heavy odds to save this historic and beautiful part of the city from infiltration by commerce and government bureaucracies; the council’s district scheme embodies that principle. Surely citizens remember the struggle 10 years ago to prevent the erection of one hotel right here. Does anyone wish more of that trauma? — Yours, etc., (Mrs) V. F. JOBBERNS. March 8, 1983.