OLD PARNELL SCHOOL SITE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22006, 12 January 1935, Page 15

OLD PARNELL SCHOOL SITE

Sir, —Mr. William Runciman's suggestion that this would be a splendid site for a hall, similar to the Royal Albert Hall, London, but on a much smaller scale, has some points in its favour, but there are many more against it. Its position on such a steep grade so far from the centre of the city would not bo likely to appeal to hard-headed business men as a private enterprise for entertainment purposes, and this objection alone is sufficient to condemn Mr. Runciman's suggestion as untenable, however well meant. The question of the disposal of the Parnell old school site is an important one at this stage, with farreaching consequences, not only to the district concerned, but to the city as a whole, and it is the opinion of many with whom I have conversed that the City Council should acquire the site while there is yet time to do so at a reasonable cost, for the purposes of a public park of the kind suggested by "6.3," or for some other equally suitable public endowment. It would be a good business deal on the council's part to get possession of it, in any case. Auckland may be well provided with parks, as Mr. Runciman says, under present conditions, but what of the future? Every public reserve for beautifying purposes is a wonderful asset to any city, but Auckland can be made world-famous as a garden city if we take full advantage of presentday opportunities. G. 4.