A DISAPPEARING RELIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20870, 12 May 1931, Page 10

A DISAPPEARING RELIC.

OLD CHORAL HALL. DEMOLITION OF PORTICO. Another piece of old Auckland, (he portico of tho former Choral Hall in Symonds Street, is being demolished, and will not be rebuilt. For about 14 years the structure of the hall has formed part of the Auckland University College science block, which was built around it, the hall itself being divided into two lecture theatres. Lately the classical portico, with its eight Corinthian columns and pediment, was found to bo suffering from tho effects of ago, and aflcr an expert examination the college council decided to have it removed. The pillars were found to be of unusual construction, namely, of brickwork built round an octagonal kauri upright, tiie whole being covered with stucco. The hall was built not less than half a century ago by the Auckland Choral Society, replacing one of wood which had been erected on the same site not long before, only to be destroyed by fire. Prior to t his I lie society had held its concerts in the still existing ballroom attached to Government House, and, earlier still, in the old Mechanics' Institute in Chancery Street, the predecessor of the Auckland Public Library. For more than 30 years, until the opening of the Town .Hail in 1911, the Choral Hall was the only building in Auckland suited to large concerts and public gatherings. It was, in fact, the Town Hall of the period and was the scene of many notable political meetings, banquets and other functions. World-famous singers and musicians gave concerts there. It possessed a good pipe organ of moderate size, presented by the late Sir Henry Brett, who afterwards gave the city a magnificent instrument for the Town Hall. The original organ is now in the Jubilee Institute for the Blind. For long the Choral Hall enjoyed the unique advantage of a special tramline, which ran down Lower Symonds Street from the Wellesley Street junction and was used only on concert nights. The classical portico, with that of St. Andrew's Church, helped to give an air to the neighbourhood, and its demolition, though necessary, will be regretted by | many old Aucklanders.