LITTLEBOURNE HOUSE.

Evening Star, Issue 22975, 4 June 1938, Page 22

LITTLEBOURNE HOUSE.

TO TUB EDITOB. Sir, —Following commentary concerning empty ideas and the still empty above-mentioned house. Contain Gaffaney suggests granting the use of Littlebourne House to the returned soldiers. His arguments ore sound and are somewhat similar to those used whon the suggestion was forwarded that Littlebourne House could advantageously be used for the benefit of elderly ladies, preference to be given to those ladies who had devoted their lives to the welfare of their country, but had been unable, while thus engaged, to make adequate provision for their old age. M'Lean's Institute, Christchureh, was cited as an example of the popularity of such a home. Because of the expense of their upkeep, and because their style of architecture is now obsolete, these old stately mansion houses throughout New Zealand are facing demolition. There is no incentive to preserve them, yet they are a part of the early history of New Zealand, and as such will later be regarded as valuable. Other countries make efforts to preserve interesting buildings; why not New Zealand? (Remaining idle as at present, and constituting an expense to the public. Littlebourne House, despite its beauty, may eventually come to be regarded as Dunedin's white elephant. It speaks well for those responsible for Dunedin's development that there is such a scant demand for the use of this property.— I am, etc., C. SWANEY. June 3.