LAND NEAR PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22805, 12 August 1937, Page 12

LAND NEAR PARLIAMENT

FURTHER STATE PURCHASE [BY TELEGRAPH' —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Following on the purchase by the Government of the Bowen Street Hospital, adjoining the Turnbull Library, the State has now acquired more private property close to Parliament Buildings. The new purchase covers a number of houses in Sydney Street, at the rear of the Parliamentary block. The purpose of the purchase is not disclosed, but it is believed by the tenants that the Government intends to convert the houses for use as Ministerial residences.

It is thought more likely, however, that the property is needed* for the full development of the new National Library and radio centre, which are both to be erected on the old site of the Dominion Museum, the houses being not far from the property already held by the State. In addition, some of the intervening land was purchased when Sir Joseph Ward was Prime Minister. It was originally the property of the family of Mr. W. B. D. Mantell, who himself was a well-known politician, having been Minister of Native Affairs in the first Stafford Ministry and in the Weld Ministry. Objection had been lodged at the valuation of the property, and the Government exercised its right to take over the land and a newlv-built house. The house was later 'divided into flats, in one of which Sir Joseph's family lived for a time. In recent years the building has housed the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.