PROPOSED ARTS BUILDING

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1038, 31 July 1930, Page 1

PROPOSED ARTS BUILDING

Deputation Seeks Site Grant minister defers his reply THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter PARLIAMENT BLDGS.,. Today. ANY definite reply on the subject of the Education Department’s granting of a site for a Fine Arts building to be erected in Auckland was postponed by the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. Atmore today, when he said that he could not give any decision until after the release of the second section of the Education Report, probably tomorrow week. He told a deputation from the Auckland University College Council and the Auckland City Council today that the second part of the report would deal with the reorganisation of the university system in New Zealand.

The deputation, which was introdneed by the Postmaster-General, tho Hon. J. B. Donald, consisted o£ Sir Gecrge Fowlds and Mr. M. Rooko O’Shea, representing the Auckland Un versity Council, and Miss Ellen Melville and Mr. H. P. Burton, representing the Auckland City Council. Mr A. Harris. Reform member fr.r Wf itemata. was also present. £ilr George Fowlds said the idea of * fine arts building had been suggested by Sir James Parr when, as Minister of Education, he had opened tile new Auckland University College building in 1926. Sir James Parr’s idea had been that the university should tane over the higher sections of the Elam School of Art. The scheme had been advanced very considerably in the last fev years and the college had secured the co-operation of the Auckland City Council and other cultural bodies. MOST SUITABLE SITE The idea was to erect on the old Gi&mmar School site in Symouds Street an imposing flne arts building. It was undoubtedly the most, suitable sit* in Auckland and the Auckland Grammar School Board was willing to fail in with the scheme if an alternative site were available. The idea vis that the Auckland City Council slould provide the art gallery portion ot the scheme. Miss Melville said the old school site was ideal for an art gallery and lie arts building. There were uo bars about the joint ownership be tueen the bodies concerned. The Auckland Society of Arts was willing tn make a substantial grant toward tile lands. At present there was no i-iom in the Auckland Art Gallery for ' ie display of 70 Medici prints, the gift ot Mr. Moss Davis, of London, and

other pictures would have to be taken down to make room for them. The old Grammar School site would be a happy jubilee gift to Auckland. Mr. O’Shea said the completion of the scheme meant a good deal to the University in .linking the town and gown. There was a precedent for the gift of a site in that Wellington had been presented with an art gallery site by the Government. A public financial appeal would be successful. What would be required to finalise the question was an assurance from the Minister that an equivalent site would be given to the Auckland Grammar Board in exchange for the old school site. Mr. Burton said that there was a need for the Auckland Art Gallery to extend, as it was overcrowded now. Mr. Atmore, in his reply, asked if any Government aid beyond the gift of a site were sought. Was the building to be put up with Government aid? NO GRANT WANTED Sir George Fowlds said that a grant was not sought, but subsidies*ou voluntary subscriptions were expected. Miss Melville said the City Council could raise a loan. To Mr. Atmore, Mr. O’Shea explained that the estimated capital cost of the building was £45,000, and the sums given carrying a subsidy would be £51,000, including the endowment of a chair of fine arts. Mr. Atmore said, at present, the reorganisation of the education system was being considered, including university education, and the question was wrapped up in that. He could not give an answer until the second section of the Education Report was isßired, probably tomorrow week. He was pleased to see Auckland helping itself to such a large degree.