ARTS CENTRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22512, 1 September 1936, Page 13

ARTS CENTRE

SITE in THE domain SUPPORT OF MINISTER // COUNCIL VIEWS DIVIDED / OPINIONS TO BE SOUGHT A new factor in the negotiations for the establishment of a Fine Arts Centre jn Auckland has been introduced in a proposal that the proposed block should be erected on a site in the Domain. In advising the City Council last night of this suggestion, the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, said a favourable attitude toward such a scheme had been taken by the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Eraser. Mr. Davis said the suggestion originally came from the chairman of the council's library,committee, Mr. N. V. Douglas, and the Minister had stated that it appealed to him, not because it might offer a/way out of the present difficulty connected with the transfer of the old Grammar School site, but because of its intrinsic merit. The Minister was in sympathy with the conception of the scheme, and he was attracted to the idea of the Fine Arts Centre being near the Museum and occupying so commanding a position as the Domain site would afford. He thought it would be an advantage to have such cultural amenities situated together. If, however, the Grammar School site were preferred it would be made available on terms, in which connection there be a question of finance to discuss. More Buildings Opposed " I did not find myself altogether in agreement with the viewpoint on the Domain site proposal expressed by the Minister," said Mr. Davis. "1 explained to the Minister that I was rather impressed with the opinion of the deputymayor, the Hon. B. Martin, that, if the Domain site were selected, the Fine Arts Centre would bo adversely affected by the counter attraction of the Museum. At the same time I made it clear that I did not wish to dogmatise on the matter. I promised Mr. Fraser that I would take steps to try to ascertain the feeling of the interested Bjctions in Auckland." The deputy-mayor, the Hon. B. Martin, moved that the report be adopted. Mr. J. S. Stewart opposed the choice of the Domain as a site, pointing out that, apart from other considerations, the Art Centre would be too far away from transport facilities. The Hon. T. Bloodworth, M.L.C.. agreed that no more buildings should be erected on the Domain, while Mr. G. G. Grant thought it would be ridiculous to place the building so far away. Street Cemetery In opposing the proposal, Mr. H. P. Burton said the council should call for a report on the removal of certain of the graves in the Symonds Street Cemetery and the development of a centre in that'area for all such buildings. .Mr. X. V. Douglas contended that observation and a perusal of the attendances at the museum showed that the Domain was an ideal situation for such a building. Sir George Bic-hardson pointed out that the returned soldiers regarded the f ground on which the museum was built as more or less sacred and there would be strong opposition from them to any suggestion of; erecting other buildings there. Tlio report was adopted.

WAITAKERE PARK / COUNCIL'S// SUPPORT URGED PRESERVATION OF BUSH Support for a Waitakere coronation park, as approved at a recent public meeting convened by the Auckland district council of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, was sought by a deputation which waited on the City Council last night. On behalf of the deputation, Mr. J. B. Paterson said it was strongly felt that the project should have the council's backing and co-operation. Critics might say that the movers of the project were trying to do a big thing on their own, but' this was not the case, £s a large body of representative citizens had ratified the plans for the preservation of the bush. It was vitally important that the valuable land involved in the/ plan should be secured. The total area was about 60,000 acres. Mr. Kenneth Mackenzie said he strongly supported Mr. Paterson's contentions, and he stressed the need for the preservation of the trees, a need which would be fulfilled by the establishment of the park. The cutting of the forest was threatened, and here was a wonderful opportunity to prevent this disaster, and to provide an area eminently suitable for public recreation. The Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, said he personally commended the action taken. It was decided to refer the matter to the Parks and Finance Committees. demolishing old houses PLAN FOR PARNELL AREA Ihe demolition of a number of old houses in the area between Bedford and Cracroft Streets, Parnell. is contemplated by the owners. the Auckland Grammar School Board, An application was made to the City Council last night for approval of a plan of subdivision of the area bounded by Bedford. Cracroft and Henley Streets and Alpha and Parnell Roads. The city engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, reported that 38 lots were shown, but the application was for a re-subdivision on m ore symmetrical lines of an already subdivided and built up area. All the old wooden buildings wore for almost immediate demolition, Pending some minor alterations the plan was approved.

WATER CATCHMENT AREA land offered for sale An area oi 6."i0 acres of land in the Otau parish was offered for sale to the yjty Council by the commissioner of Crown Lands. It was stated that the Unimproved value of the property was —285 and the improvements were worth -'£•sßs. Hie waterworks engineer. Mr. A. D. Mead, reported to the council last night that the land was in the Mangatawhiri area and almost adjoining the area recently acquired for catchment purposes °n the Mangatangi. He did not recommend the council to enter into negotiations for the whole block, hut he considered it would l>o wise if an arrangement couid be reached whereby the uncleared portion could be reserved to be available for the city when a water B'ipply eatchinont was adopted in the area. The report was adopted.