THE CIVIC CENTRE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 91, 14 October 1943, Page 7

THE CIVIC CENTRE

OPEN SPACE PLEA

DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL

Tiie viev/s that an open space west' of' the Town Hall in connection With the city's proposed Civic Geriti'e was essential, that there was no- adequate reason for combining municipal offices and the Town Hall, and; that a grave error might lie made if the city's proposed plans were proceeded with without much further consideration, \vere placed: before the City Council last night by a. deputation from the Combined" Citizens' Com mittee,; representing* the ."Wellington beautifying. Society, "t^wn Fla'.ming Institute, and" Chamber o£ Commerce, Mr. H. S. B. Fletcher, i^balifog that this was the third occasion on which his committee had called on the City Council, said that he appeared again solely in the interests of the city, hoping for a candid discussion tree from hostility. The public's sense had been awakenpd to the need of open spaces in the city. His committee's plans provided for a civic centre with an open space and an aesthetic appearance. They believed opposition to their own plans was based on expediency in the housing of the city's officers. They must be housed, but posterity was deeply concerned. The housing question could be disposed of by putting all the city's offices under one roof, and keeping the Town Hall separate. .. WOMEN'S PLEA. Mrs. A. J. Dv Pont spoke of the many women connected with women's activities who were against the city's proposed plans. They wished to obtain the whole of the triangular area west of the Town Hall as an open space. The open space on the city's plan was windswept, and in the event of an earthquake, as a refuge area it was too far from Willis and other busy streets. What.was needed was an open space where elderly peorale and women with children could rest. There was great interest in London's plans for open spaces. Mr. A. Richardson said that councillors seemed to have hardly .grasped the speakers' views already expressed, which involved their ideas, and produced a plan prepared by professional men and citizens who had town planning at heart. Their design would give an open lung and a fine vista of the Town Hall from Willis Street. The space would hold thousands of people in a sheltered position. It would encourage civic pride, which at present was lacking. The city officers' quarters could also house the City Council, leaving the Town Hall free for civic occasions. For many years citizens had had little encouragement'owing to the haphazard planning of the past. j This was the first great offer in many | years, and following the start sugi'svted they could obtain a beautiful city. CLOSING MERCER STREET? Captain S. Holm said they were merely present to assist the city's plans of the future. They had not secured the benefit of the Town Planner's serrvices, but he should be consulted before anything was done. The Town Hall entrance should face Willis Street. : The Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) : A new face to the /Town Hall would cost £25,000. "I If an open space was provided, said Captain Holm, the Government would make no claims on the area for the district health office, but if the council decided otherwise, the Government would probably go on with the erection of a district health office there. Councillor R. McKeen agreed that this was the attitude of the Government. The Government, however, did not wish to engage in any discussion on this matter. Captain Holm suggested that the City Council meet the authorities and igo into" the matter. More ideas upon ' such a vital question should be obtained before any building was erected. COMPETITION SUGGESTED. Mr. W. H. Hindle, of the /Chamber of Commerce, said that the deputation had come in a spirit of reasonableness, to achieve something dear to many citizens, who had the opinion that an open space should be preserved, and to prevent mistakes being made. It wbuld be a disaster if the administration block were proceeded with, and the area built over. He felt that space was of paramount importance. The administrative block was essential, but it was not essential that it should adjoin the Town Hall. If they had another dozen plans they would be in the way of getting the best results in the end, even if no particular plan were followed in entirety. A competition should be held; it was not suggested that their own plan was necessarily the best. HALF-ACRE, OR TWO? To the Mayor's- question whether the committee preferred half an acre of open space west of the Town Hall to just under two acres of space east of the hall, members of the deputation stated definitely that they would prefer a smaller, better sheltered, and better-situated open space west of the hall, to be given a new facade. Mr. M. G. C. McCaul said that one important point about the two acres of open space was that the city would never get them. Replying to a question from Councillor R. McKeen, Mr. Fletcher said that the main desire of the deputation was that there should be further opportunity for discussion before any final step was taken. • '■ AN UNSAFE BUILDING. j Councillor R. H. Nimmo referred to the dangerous state of the engineer's building and the necessity for the erection of new quarters. An assurance had been given that steel would be available for the proposed adminis- j trative block without delay, but there could be no possibility of prosecution j of the combined committee's plan until probably long after the war. Mr. Fletcher considered that alternative accommodation could be found for the engineer's staff; immediate con-; siderations should not be allowed to jeopardise the future development of the city. I The Mayor gave an assurance that! the further representations made by the committee snd also the request for the setting up of a joint committee would receive careful consideration. At a later stage the council agreed, on the Mayor's suggestion, that they should ask the Government Town Planner. Mr. J. Mawson, to discuss the | question with them. NOTICE OF MOTION. Councillor Sievwright gavt notice to move: "That, having heard the various speakers from the Combined Citizens' Committee dealing with the prepared plans for the civic centre, this council resolves that a composite body be appointed by the council consisting of Messrs. H. S. B. Fletcher, A. Richardson, E. Anscombe, of the Citizens' Committee, J. W. Mawson (Government Town Planner), together with four councillors, including the mover and seconder, and the City Engineer, to meet and discuss in all its aspects the proposed plans and the execution of a civic centre, and that such committee shall consider such] plans and report to this council at a date convenient to them the result of their finding for the help and guidance of the council."