NEWMARKET CIVIC BUILDINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18275, 16 December 1922, Page 13

NEWMARKET CIVIC BUILDINGS.

Sir,—l observe that ten tenders have been received for the erection of new municipal buildings at Newmarket, the lowes-t heme £12.678. I understand it intended to erect tho new building, on the old s:te. if not too late, may I venture to suggest to the Newmarket authorities and citizens that the old site is not suitable for a modern civic building worthy of the present and future growth of' Newmarket. Surely a new civic building warrants tho setting aside of some prominent, commanding, and spacious site, dedicated to tho municipal | life and health of its citizens and the j delectation of the stranger within our gates. It should stand apart, have vista, quietude, sunshine, room for floral display, fountains, statuary, rest places, memorials and the like, and not thrust into the midst of the noise, bustle, dust, and unpleasantness of commercial activities. Briefly, why not sell the old site for shopping and* then dedicate some portion "of the reserve as a site for the ne-.v civic building? Possibly, too, the rough stone archway war memorial might be embodied in the scheme of things. Jf that cannot be, then seek some other suitable site, but do not make the irrevocable blunder that Auckland mads in placing its civic building on a freak site quite out of harmony with modern ideals, which strive to implant a desire for beauty and in the minds zen? by reflecting the like in those "outward and visible signs" which have so frequently been marred or entirely overlooked in the past. In conclusion, may I express surprise and regret that the several Auckland municipal bodies do not appear to have taken up the matter of town-planning. Surely the citizens have not realised what that might be made to mean to them if rightly organised, as affecting economy and effectiveness in, sav, the construction, width, and maintenance of roads, tree-planting, allocating referves. municipal, industrial, j commercial, and residential .zones, im- j proved housing, preserving and enhancing existing beauty spots, preventing vandal- J isrn, and creating fresh beauties making j for all-round betterment. Then there is cleaning-up things generally — making j Auckland a greater Auckland and truly | a garden citv. Nature has dealt lavishly] with Auckland, and some good work has alreadv been done, but it has become im- j perative for the various municipal bodies j to get together and take up town-plan-ning vor,- seriouslv ere it be too late. There are engineers, architects, artists, J doctors. Rotarians, and men of vision, gcnerailv well qualified to help if coopted on. the respective committees. Perhaps the New Year may inspire them to act. Meantime, can Newmarket see its j w„ .' to give a living example of the fitness of things by dedicat'ng tome of Us j best to the municipal env< laments of Auckland. JOHN MITCHELL. Salisbury Road, Morningside, * December 14, 1922.