CIVIC SQUARE

Evening Star, Issue 22261, 12 February 1936, Page 8

CIVIC SQUARE

CONSIDERATION BY CABINET DISPOSAL OF TELEGRAPH BUILDINGS A proposal that a civic square should be constructed on the site of the old Telegraph buildings which was made some time ago by Mr R. S. Black, formerly mayor of Dunedin, has received consideration from Cabinet, Mr Black told a ‘ Star ’ reporter this morning, and following replies from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, Mr Black strongly urges that all local bodies should give their strong support to tlie project. The Prime Minister (Hon. M. J. Savage) replied to Mr Black’s letter regarding the proposal that the old Telegraph buildings should be presented to the city, stating that this matter had been considered by Cabinet, which had decided, following a recommendation from the Treasury, that the disposal of the old Telegraph Office and site be arranged by transferring the land to the Minister of Lands under the Land Act. Further, that the Lands Department be authorised to utilise the land in the best way, after consultation .with the Dunedin City Council.

The Minister of Finance (Hon. Walter Nash) also advised that it had been deemed advisable to adhere to the usual procedure in dealing with similar properties. It was proposed, therefore, that the property should be passed to the Lands and Survey Department in due course for administration under the provisions of the Land Act.

Mr Black had a plan of his proposal prepared six years ago, but until the new Post Office was under way he deferred action in the matter. This plan was sent to the Prime Minister, and Mr Black is now hopeful that all the local bodies will strongly support the proposal and thus strengthen the bands of the City Council in what action it may take. In view of the fact that His Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester visited here last year, Mr Black suggests that his permission might be obtained to call the • site Gloucester Square. Keen appreciation of the promptness with which the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance gave consideration to the proposal was also expressed by Mr Black.

Mr Black pointed out that there was a precedent established in Christchurch where the provincial buildings were given to the City Council by the Government. He also stated that the Stock Exchange in Dunedin was built by the Provincial Government of Otago as a post office, and immediately the Government of New Zealand came into being it sold it and had had the use of that money ever since, which, at interest, he placed at £450,000 to-day. The Government had also taken over and still used the Garrison Hall as a post office, said Mr Black. This building, as was well known, was the result of contributions by the citizens of Dunedin. He pointed out that the old Telegraph Office site could be similarly gifted, to the city, since in the early days the Railway Department had taken 75 acres from the Otago Harbour Board, paying nothing but the cost of reclaiming the land.