Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

Saving buildings

Sir, — Last year, after a lifetime of “Going to Venice some day,” I finally arrived. And in a familiar dream I travelled the Grand Canal, walked over bridges, gazed open-mouthed across the waters and up at domes and doorways, etc. It was all so familiar. I had “been there” so often in books, pictures and photographs. I can look at Canaletto’s eighteenth century paintings of Venice and my own 1982 photos and the views are unchanged. Not so for those who revisit Christchurch — or any New Zealand city. When I returned, the stately old National Bank of Hereford Street had gone. What an imposing city central art gallery it might have become — an extra to the Robert McDougall. Anyone who lived here 30 years ago would feel almost lost in unfamiliar surroundings. Let us stop it now — this obliterating of so much of the old, thinking we will replace it with something better. — Yours, etc.,

E. H. HALLIDAY. June 10, 1983.

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.
Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19830615.2.79.4

Bibliographic details

Press, 15 June 1983, Page 12

Word Count
163

Saving buildings Press, 15 June 1983, Page 12

Saving buildings Press, 15 June 1983, Page 12