NEW SITE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 26, 31 July 1933, Page 6

NEW SITE

SYDNEY CATHEDRAL

A DIFFICULT PROBLEM

(From "The Post's" Representative.) SYDNEY, July 20.

Sydney in for ever changing. A problem now facing a special sub-com-mittee of tho State Cabinet is to find a new site for the Anglican Cathedral, tho glory of which is now hidden on a site alongside the Town Hall in George Street. St. Andrew's was once itho centre of a lju!>y residential quiutcr, but now i'ew people live within miles of it, and tliu congregations liuvo dwindled aiid the old church itself lias lost most of its dignity. For several years now its architectural beauty has not been visible owing to an ugly high fence erected to protect the city railway works. Successive Governments have treated the property as though it wero a public playground, and the resumption of 10 feet of its frontage is tho latest outrage. It is clear to everyone now that the church must be 'rebuilt on a more- suitablo site, and the call has gone to the Government' to provide that site, the existing valuable area being given in exchange.

The Church authorities are anxious to secure the old Mint site in Macquarie Street, alongside the Sydney Hospital, and a year ago this was within their grasp—and £500,000 besides. Such is the whirligig of fate. The former Labour Premier (Mr. Lang) unexpectedly proved to be the champion of the Church, but almost as soou as his offer had boe-n accepted, and the agreements signed, he went out of office, leaving the agreement, which needed Parliamentary sanction, as a legacy for tho new Government. Nothing was done, but the whole- matter has now been revived, with the prospect of finality.

of tho present Government have suggested to tho Church that the site of the Conservatorium of, Music would be ideal for the cathedral, but the Church thinks otherwise, and has insisted upon securing the Mint site. The discussions have now gonemuch further. Parliament House in Macquarie Street is old and dilapidated. White ants have eaten away many of the supports, and the building generally is in a sad state of disrepair. It is therefore proposed that the present Government House, picturesquely situated on . the shores of: the harbour, should bo converted into a Parliament House and that the Governor should be trausfererd to tho stately pile across the harbour known as Admiralty House which, for years, was,tho home of.the Govcrnor-Gener&i when ho visited Sydney. The cathedral could then have the existing,, Parliament House ■ site, which is not far removed from the Mint site, and would bo satisfactory to all.

It is said that tho Anglicans aim to build a cathedral in Sydney which would cost £1,000,000. It is difficult to understand where so much money would come from these times, but it is recognised that the structure- must bo worthy of the city.