WHERE?

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 120, 17 November 1936, Page 12

WHERE?

1940 EXHIBITION

ONLY THREE YEARS TO GO

SUGGESTED SITES

(By "Quo Vadis?")

One of the first requisites for ar. exhibition with an international appeal is a site, and apparently nothing positive has been decided in this direction for the Centennial Exhibition which it is proposed to hold in Wellington in 1940.

A member of the Wellington Show Association last night was proceeding to advocate the retention of the committee set up by the Wellington Show Association to press the claims of the association^ grounds, with the inclusion of adjoining areas, notwithstanding that he understood, he said, that Rongotai had been decided upon as the site for the Exhibition, when Mr. D. J. McGowan, who is a member of the Exhibition Committee, remarked that that had not yet been decided, and that he would be pleased to introduce the committee mentioned to the Exhibition Committee. The chairman of the Show Association (Mr. R. H. Nimmo) said he was glad that the suggestion had been made, because since the association had suggested its grounds and buildings, other proposals, involving the clearing of slum areas, had been made, and one, dealing with areas near John Street, appealed to him because the association's grounds could be brought in. The association had a great responsibility to the city, and to its debenture holders, and would be faced with a grave problem and certain losses during the Centennial Exhibition unlesa the buildings and grounds could be utilised.

Though site after site has been suggested,, it is evident, fr,om Mr. McGowan's statement, that no finality has yet been reached. The Centenary falls on January 22, 1940, and the Exhibition opening date will precede that, which means that only three years remain to settle all financial questions, prepare whatever site is chosen, and erect buildings worthy of the occasion. The time is so short, in view of the magnitude of the proposal, that early decision and action is imperative if the Exhibition is to be a success. INGENIOUS PLANS. . Considerable ingenuity has been shown in various proposals to use central sites. The advantage of a central position for an exhibition of the kind is undeniable, but the central portions of Wellington are overcrowded now. Therefore those who have suggested readily accessible sites had been fated with either fitting in the exhibition in scraps, like a jig-saw puzzle, or with wholesale demolitions. There is a strong appeal in the proposals to remove slum areas to provide the site, but the cost has in most cases been considered prohibitive. Reclamation, Wellington's trump card when all else fails, has been mooted, but adequate reclamations take time, and there the cost problem has to be faced. VARIOUS IDEAS. All kinds of central positions have been suggested. The reclamation of Evans Bay was one of the first, but this was dropped. Tawa Flat and Gear Island were amongst proposed areas, but, as somebody remarked, why come to Wellington to go away from.it? There is a persistent rumour that consideration may be given tpthat part of Thorndon reclamation not already occupied, which it is maintained will give enough space if Aotea Quay and the new road over the proposed ramp are taken in. This would mean co-opera-tion by the Railways and Harbour Board, which has not yet been announced.

One of the few suggestions for a central site which did not involve the demolition of premises of any consequence was that to link up Oriental Bay, the Corporation Yard, Clyde Quay, the waterfront to Taranaki Street, and the strip between Kent and Cambridge Terraces, and the Basin Reserve, this area to be amplified by a reclamation from the Clyde Quay Wharf to Taranaki Street Wharf. The destructor chimney was to be turned into J "tower of light." SLUM CLEARINGS. The clearing of the slum area north of Buckle Street was another proposal, using the site for the Exhibition if it were ready in time, and setting aside an area facing the Museum block, to be permanently set apart as a park or garden commemorating the name 0. Edward Gibbon Wakefield. Another slum clearance was put forward which would involve clearing out the buildings in the square -bounded by Vivian, Taranaki, Buckle, and ToryStreets, containing the "slummiest ot slums." It was thought that it might be possible to weed out the slum features as far east as Cambridge Terrace. Another scheme took in TevA.ro Fla., as bounded by Vivian Street, Cambridge Terrace, Taranaki Street, ana the Basin Reserve. This.was backed by the Chamber of- Commerce to th-J Government, which was sympathetic, but mentioned the cost of acquiring tha land and the complications that would be caused by pulling down business places. It was admitted by the promoters that the financial burden would be too heavy for the city alone, ani the question of special Government assistance came in. Still another slum clearance suggested was in an area south of the Basia Reserve to John Street, and lying between the Government House block and Tasman Street. Here again the cost came into the question, the Mayor (Mr T C. A. Hislop) estimating the total needed at some £750,000. The utilisation of the Government House block, with the transfer of Government House to another site, has even been suggested. Another proposal made was the utilisation of the Rolleston Street and Prince of Wales Parks, taking in -the Show buildings and other ground. AND RONGOTAI. Of course, there is Rongotai, which was one of the first sites mentioned for the exhibition, but the fact that so many alternatives have since been suggested shows a fairly widespread desire to avoid the strong winds and sands of that locality, which is unsheltered. The wind blows impartially both ways across it, sometimes with gale force. No trees will grow in the open spaces, and a bottle left in the open soon; becomes finely frosted by the stinging sand. During the summer months the beach would be an attraction, however, and as it seems to be the only site of adequate dimensions that is wanted for nothing else, immediately, even the definite decision to hold the exhibition at Rongotai would be welcomed by those anxious to see the preparations commenced. If overseas attractions and exhibitors are to be brought to Wellington for the occasion, there is little enough I time to acquaint them with what it. is proposed to do, because firms and amusement concerns have to make their plans well ahead, and the date when they should be given reliable in- ! formation upon which they may act is I approaching. The support which the exhibition would receive locally would be considerably firmer if all elements of doubt as to site and dimensions anfi character of the great show were announced. ■