FATE OF FAMOUS HOUSE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20362, 17 September 1929, Page 11

FATE OF FAMOUS HOUSE

OFFICES AND SECTIONS,

PRIME MINISTER'S RESIDENCE)

MEMORIES OF EARLY DAYS, |

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE,

[BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.} WELLINGTON, Monday. The properly surrounding the official residence of the Prime Minister at 260, Tinakori Road, Wellington, is shortly to be subdivided into building lots and sold* The house itself, portly occupied by th« recently-created Transport Department* will bo converted into offices. Thus will fall from the house and its five acres of pleasure ground the glamour of the traditional past, for it was thera that Stafford first went as Prime Minister, although the remains of his old gabled houise built in 1865 have long sine® been absorbed by subsequent The house recalls also memories of Bit, Julius Vogel, who, because of his goat, had a lift to transport him from djning room to retiring chamber. Ballance, Ward and Massey all lived thera as Prime Ministers. There, also, Massey, died. Mr. Coates was there for over threat years, but Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Mia* ister again after a lapse of 16 years, pre* fers a suite in Parliament Buildings, and the House has recontly been used partly by other Ministers of the Crown, partly by the officers of the Transport Depart* ment. Drive to be Eotained. In the scheme of alterations the drivtf that sweeps up to the front door from Tinakori Road will be retained, but th« 5£ acres ol: grounds jn front, behind and to the right and left of the residence, will be built over. It is intended to driva a road through the centre of the property] parallel to> Tinakori Road. The -survey; vfork in connection with this started last! Thursday and the usual- surveying mark* may be seen along the proposed route* This road, which will skirt close to th« house on the side nearest the Tinakori Hills, will join to the north and aboufe midway along a sido road called Harriett Street. Thonce it will run south to the opposito boundary wall, straight through the flower beds and not far from th« tennis courts. On the 'way it will b» necessary to destroy some of the trees and shrubs, including some 50-year-old Norfolk pines that havo iwade such » picturesque setting, for one of New Zea* land's most historic homes. Block of Ministerial Flits.

The property will be subdivided ihtd| eight or ten sections of about 40ft frontage. If the present plans proceed, ia a year cr less little will be left to remind .-■> passers-by that on this site lived and worked and died soma of New Zealand's most famous Prime Ministers. Already several hundred pounds worth of plants and shrubs have been removed for replanting in other places, including Parliament Grounds and Government House* The small greenhouse not far from the, entrance drive has been ear-marked for re-erection shortly at Government House*

It is understood that the last Prima Minister, Mr. Coat«s, has been rescuing some valuable piants put in by himself, under the impression that the house and grounds vrould continue to be used by tho Prime Ministers of this Dominion for many years.

Apparently it is considered unnecessary for future Prime Ministers to have such an imposing official residence. It is contended that all the necessary entertaining can bo done equally well in Parliament Buildings. In this connection it UT interesting to note that Mantell's Block, in Sydney Street West, closa to Parliament Buildings, was recently purchased by the Government for £12,000. It is understood that this site will be turned into a block of Ministerial flats. Future Prime Ministers will either find them« selves installed in one of these flats of, in quarters specially set aside in Parliament Builldings. -