HISTORIC SITE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23381, 24 June 1939, Page 16

HISTORIC SITE

THE FIRST PARLIAMENT IMPROVEMENT WORK THE LAND TO BE FENCED Tho small triangle of vacant land between tho Supreme Court and Anzac Avenue, containing the site of IScw Zealand's first Parliament House, is being put into order by the Public Works Department. A low mound on which are two pohutukawa trees has been surrounded by a miniature retaining wall of stone, and the property is to be enclosed with a fence of galvanised pipe on wooden posts, similar to that of the Supreme Court grounds. A certain amount of levelling is also to be done. The Parliamentary building, an unpretentious two-storeyed wooden structure, was erected in 1854 at the corner of Eden and Parliament Streets, and was later enlarged. It remained in uso until the seat of Government was removed to Wellington in 18G5, and was then occupied by tho Auckland Provincial Council, which ceased to oxist in 1876, upon the abolition of tho provinces. City Council's Ownership Auckland University College obtained possession soon after its inauguration in 1883, and remained there until 1917, when tho City Council acquired tho property, which was partly on the alignment of its new traffic outlet, Anzac Avenue. The building was found to bo beyond preservation and was demolished. At the same timo Parliament Street, bounding tho rear of the Supremo Court site, was closed. Tho City Council on one occasion put tho remaining halfacro up to auction, but it failed to reach tho reserve. The Government placed a caveat upon the closed road, and there was much negotiation between the two authorities and _ the Auckland Law Society, which wished to see the whole property reserved for Supreme Court purposes. Eventually, after it had been decided to erect the new Law Library within the boundaries of the Court site, tho vacant area was transferred by the council to the Government under an exchange arrangement affecting Jean Batten Place and some land in High Street. Suggested Memorial Site Tho Government's intention apparently is to hold tho property for use in future, when it becomes necessary to make further additions to the Supremo Court or to replaco it with a modern building. On the other hand, the suggestion has been made that, 011 account of its historical associations, the site should bo preserved as as open space. It has also been proposed that, if a memorial to the first Governor, Captain Hobson, is ever erected, the area should be used for that purpose. So long as no further building takes place on the opposite side of Anzac Avenue, between the Station Hotel and Constitution Hill, the property will retain a fine view of the harbour.

Tho Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, in announcing not long ago that he hoped to have the name of Eden Street changed to Parliament Street, expressed the view that a commemorative plaque sKould be placed upon any building erected on the site. The change of name has since been effected by tho council.

NEW EXPORT WHARF MANY PILES PREPARED PROGRESS OF BREASTWORK As a result of the arrangements recently made between the Auckland Harbour Board and the Government for further capital, work on the export wharf at tho eastern reclamation is proceeding rapidly. The wharf and its buildings and equipment, the protective breastwork, dredging, and the approaches have been estimated to cost £483,000. A start lias not yet been made with tho wharf itself. Men are still engaged upon the construction of a protective breastwork, although the completion of this is not necessary beforo tho wharf is started. This task does depend to a large extent, however, upon the arrival ot materials, and pending this work will proceed with the driving of piles. This has not yet been started, but a largo number of tho piles have been prepared for driving. Work has proceeded satisfactorily with tho_ construction of the breastwork. This is now taking definite shape, being in a two-anglod line from the reclamation toward King's Wharf.