THE CIVIC SQUARE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19391, 28 July 1926, Page 8

THE CIVIC SQUARE.

Sir, —Your correspondent, "A.," makes passing reference to a letter of mine that appeared some considerable time ago, but does not attempt to deal with the numerous, points I made therein. He wants the Queen Street block kept vacant for the benefit " abovt all " of the traveller i.e. the visitor from overseas. I would like it leased for the benefit above all of the ratepayer. So far as the visitor is concerned I would.say that if the civic square is laid out in Princes Street, the impression on his mind will be much more impressive and pleasantly lasting than would be the case if " A " has his way, so that even on that point he is not convincing. But I wonder if " A," and those who think with him, have ever considered the point I made in my previous letter, namely, that to leave the Queen Street block.un-built.on will be to make a:free gift of the capital unimproved value, say half a million sterling, to the land-owners round about ? The value' will simply move across the street, up and down the street, and diffuse itself generally in the vicinity What would " A " say if the council were to propose to borrow £500.000 and make it a gift to a select number of city- landowners I Yet that will 'be the • economic .effect if the land isi left, an open space, And the value will not remain at the figure 1 have named but. will double or treble in the. course of the next 30 years or so. 1 If. like open spaces myself, but I think in this case there are other considerations, which more than counteract that desideratum. r . ..' a : Remuera.

, Sir,—A correspondent in Friday's issue is depressed by reading the discussoin 'on this subject by little minds whose views do not. go beyond hard cash. , What, does he want ? Surely not a patch of grass that has been tried and trodden underfoot already. t Nor a fenced-in enclosure like a stock yard. The, only way out of the difficulty is to put a fine building at least eight storeys- high with a flat roof, and it would at once be a thing of beauty and a joy to the tired citizens when they had a leisure hour to enjoy the fresh air and a most extensive view; Then the traveller, after passing through the noise and bustle of Queen Street would be whisked up to this lovely roof-garden, from which lie could feast his eyes on a piece of scenery that- cannot be excelled in all the world. He could look down on the buildings of note, aiid it would be then that he would be impressed in a manner that would give name and fame to our beautiful city. We have adopted many ideas from America and one more wouid not humiliate us. Our city deserves it, and should have it without delay. This scheme would look handsome and would pay handsomely, two very important items in town fanning. Modern.